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ABSTRACT: Study design
Descriptive.Objective
To describe the design and development of Bracing in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Trial (BrAIST).Summary of background data
Bracing has remained the standard of care for the nonoperative treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis since the introduction of the Milwaukee brace in the late 1940s, but it has never been subjected to a rigorous evaluation of either its efficacy or its effectiveness. The BrAIST was designed to address the primary question: Do braces (specifically a thoracolumbosacral orthosis) lower the risk of curve progression to a surgical threshold (≥50°) in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis relative to watchful waiting alone?Methods
The authors describe the rationale for BrAIST, including the limitations of the current literature evaluating bracing for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Second, the authors describe the preliminary work, including the preparation of the National Institutes of Health clinical trials planning grant. Finally, the authors describe the trial design in detail.Results
BrAIST was conducted in 25 sites in North America. Subjects were treated either with a thoracolumbosacral orthosis or watchful waiting and followed every 6 months until they reached skeletal maturity or the surgical threshold of 50° Cobb angle.Conclusion
Clinical decision making will be improved by translation of the BrAIST results into evidence-based prognosis and estimates of how the prognosis, specifically the risk of progressing to surgery, may be altered by the use of bracing.Level of evidence
N/A.
SUBMITTER: Weinstein SL
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4536980 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

Weinstein Stuart L SL Dolan Lori A LA Wright James G JG Dobbs Matthew B MB
Spine 20131001 21
<h4>Study design</h4>Descriptive.<h4>Objective</h4>To describe the design and development of Bracing in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Trial (BrAIST).<h4>Summary of background data</h4>Bracing has remained the standard of care for the nonoperative treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis since the introduction of the Milwaukee brace in the late 1940s, but it has never been subjected to a rigorous evaluation of either its efficacy or its effectiveness. The BrAIST was designed to address the ...[more]