Adolescent Compliance with Spinal Brace Wear

Compliance behavior of adolescents with curvature of the spine requiring treatment with a spinal brace was studied. Factors of age, gender, parent relationship status, type and magnitude of curvature, and type of brace as associated with compliance were explored. This study focused on variables that are readily accessible to the nurse during the adolescent's initial clinic visits. The source of data for this descriptive survey was a retrospective chart review of 55 adolescents with scoliosis or kyphosis during the initial year of treatment with a spinal brace. Although the majority of adolescents in this sample were compliant with spinal brace wear, almost one-fourth of the sample did not complete a full year of follow-up clinic visits. The variables of magnitude of curve and type of brace did not relate to compliance behavior. Half of the sample boys did not complete one year of clinic visits compared with girls. Age, type of curve, and parent-relation-ship status did relate to compliance behavior. The adolescent who was either 12–13 years old, had scoliosis, or had an intact family was more likely to be compliant with spinal brace wear in this study. The early recognition of potential risk factors by the nurse may help foster early intervention and thus promote better compliance.