At Scoliosis Support and Research, we’re proud to be funding a study led by Mr Ashley Cole, Consultant Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon. This research is focused on improving brace treatment for young people with scoliosis – a vital area where better understanding and support can make a real difference.
This is a fantastic opportunity for young people with scoliosis to share their experiences and preferences to help shape future treatment. We’d love for members of our community to take part if they feel it’s appropriate – but of course, there’s absolutely no obligation to do so.
Below, Mr Rav Jayasuriya, Paediatric Spinal Deformity Research Fellow explains more about the national trials and the bespoke brace research currently underway – including how you can get involved if you’d like to.
National trials and bespoke brace treatment for young people with scoliosis
Mr Rav Jayasuriya
T&O Specialist Registrar
Paediatric Spinal Deformity Research Fellow
It is a very exciting time for research into scoliosis affecting young people in the UK. My research is about improving brace treatment for scoliosis, which if used well can help many young people avoid spinal surgery. However, brace treatment has many challenges, which can be made better your help! Scan the QR code to take part.
National trials:
Across the UK 22 paediatric spinal centres in the UK have come together to deliver the largest trial in this area of research, exploring two types of brace, through the BASIS study.
This study is open to newly diagnosed patients with scoliosis ages between 10-15 years. For more information check out: https://basisstudy.org
It has been a pleasure to help design and deliver this fantastic study which has the potential to elevate the national standard of bracing in the UK, and change NHS best practice for bracing in scoliosis.
Whilst, large, national trials, answer research questions in the most scientific way for large groups of scoliosis patients, my personal interest focuses on individualising treatment for young people with scoliosis.
Bespoke treatment:
My PhD project aims to understand the challenges young people face when they undergo brace treatment for scoliosis. I want to explore what factors help and hinder them to wear their brace. I want to be able to predict at the start of brace treatment, which young people will need extra support to help them wear their brace, and see if there is a better way we can support them. I want to understand what features of a brace are most important to young people and appreciate how they trade off the pros and cons of wearing a brace.
Brace DCE study:
The Brace DCE (discrete choice experiment) study is a special type of survey. It helps us understand the best way to treat young people with scoliosis, by understanding their preferences in brace treatment. Young people aged 10-18 years with scoliosis are invited to take part. In the questionnaire participants will choose between two options they would prefer. Each brace option has different features. The questionnaire will look a like this:
TAKE PART NOW!
You can help us with this research and make bracing for scoliosis better in the future. If you are aged between 10-18 years with scoliosis, no matter what treatment you have previously had for your scoliosis, whether it was bracing, surgery, or active monitoring, you can help by completing this questionnaire which will take 10-15 minutes.
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