Stress Level of Adolescent with Idiopathic Scoliosis Using Braces for the Treatment: A Descriptive Study in Vietnam

ABSTRACT Introduction The effectiveness of braces in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis has been demonstrated. However, prolonged use of a brace causes patients to feel self-conscious about their appearance, leading to stress in adolescents. Objectives This study aimed to assess the stress levels of adolescents utilizing braces for the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis, as well as analyze the correlation between stress with sociodemographic and clinical factors. Methods A total of 114 adolescents ages 10 to 18 who have idiopathic scoliosis with a Cobb angle of 20° to 40° receiving braces participated in a cross-sectional study. Participant eligibility requirements included a treatment period of 3 to 24 months and a wearing time of at least 12 hours daily. The Brace and Deformity versions of the Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire (BSSQ) scale were used to assess the stress levels of individuals with idiopathic scoliosis. Results The BSSQ-Brace and BSSQ-Deformity scales measured a high level of stress of 83.3% and 71.1%, respectively. The correlation between stress level as measured by the BSSQ-Deformity and participation in additional courses was statistically significant ( P = 0.022). Conclusions The stress levels of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis are elevated. Health education, psychological, and social support are required to mitigate the effects of stress during braces treatment. Clinical Relevance The stress levels of adolescents during bracing were shown by our research. The research thus can assist clinicians in the development of support measures for children, the enhancement of treatment effectiveness, and the mitigation of adverse mental health effects.