Purpose: A meta-analysis was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of bracing and other treatments in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients.
Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for randomized controlled trials that investigated bracing and other treatments for AIS. The Mantel-Haenszel method with fixed-effects or random-effects model was used to calculate the relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The results of heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were analyzed.
Results: Seven studies that met the eligibility criteria with 791 participants were included. The results of meta-analysis suggested significant differences between bracing and observation groups in successful outcomes [OR 3.58, 95% CI (1.92, 6.68), P < 0.0001; P for heterogeneity = 0.008, I2 = 65%], quality of life [MD = 2.13, 95% CI (0.51, 3.75), P = 0.01; P for heterogeneity = 0.89, I2 = 0%], and adverse events [OR 5.31, 95% CI (2.42, 11.66), P < 0.0001; P for heterogeneity = 0.78, I2 = 0%].
Conclusion: The findings of this meta-analysis suggested that bracing is efficient and safe for the treatment of AIS. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
Keywords: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; Bracing; Efficacy; Meta-analysis; Safety.