Table 4 Basic characteristics of the included studies
References | Country | Study type | Subjects, Age(mean years), Sex | Risser | Initial Cobb (°) | Curve type/pattern | Type of brace | Duration of brace | Follow-up duration | Outcomes | Definition of outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cheung [30] | HK | R | 586AIS,12.6, 79M, 507F | 0–2 | 30.9 | 249T, 337L | Underarm brace | NA | NA | Curve progression | The post-brace Cobb angle with > 5° increase from the pre-brace Cobb angle |
Cheung [14] | HK | R | 105AIS,12.2, 8M, 97F | 0–3 | 31.7 | 72D, 33S | Underarm brace | NA | NA | In-brace Cobb | Cobb angle obtained from the in-brace radiograph when the patient wears the brace for 2 weeks |
He [15] | HK | P | 35AIS, 12, 3M, 32F | 0–2 | 28 | 32D, 3S | HK orthoses | NA | NA | Initial in-brace correction | (Angle X-ray standing − Angle X-ray in-orthosis)/Angle X-ray standing |
He [33] | HK | P | 22AIS, 12, 2M, 20F | 0–2 | 28.1 | 21D, 1S | HK orthoses | NA | NA | In-brace curvature | Curvature angle obtained from the in-brace radiographs and ultrasound imaging when the patient wears the brace for 2–3 weeks |
Ohrt-Nissen [31] | Denmark | R | 63AIS, 13.3, 3M, 60F | 0–2 | 34 | 37T, 12TL, 5L, 9DM | Providence brace | 26 months | 2 years | Curve progression | Progression of ≥ 6°at skeletal maturity |
Ohrt-Nissen [32] | Denmark | R | 127AIS, 13.6, 14M, 113F | NA | 35 | 67T, 27TL, 10L, 23DM | Providence brace | NA | NA | Initial in-brace Cobb | Cobb angle on initial in-brace radiograph |
Wong [28] | HK | P | 207AIS, 12.8, 35M, 172F | 0–5 | 31.7 | 110T, 97L | Boston or Milwaukee bracing | NA | NA | Curve progression | An increase in major curve Cobb angle > 5° on the outcome radiograph compared to baseline, or the incidence of surgery |
Kuroki [34] | Japan | R | 31AIS, 12, 2M, 29F | 0–2 | 27.3 | 4T, 4TL, 12L, 7DM, 1DT, 3TM | (OMC) brace | 4 years and 8 months | During brace wear: 3 years and 4 months; Post-brace weaning: 1 year and 4 months | Curve progression | Increase of the Cobb angle by 6° or more, progression beyond the Cobb angle of 45° who were considered candidates for surgery |
Cheung [6] | HK | R | 586AIS, 12.6, 79M, 507F | 0–2 | 31 | 251T, 335TL/L | Underarm TLSO brace | 3.8 years | 2.0 years | Curve regression; Curve progression | Curve regression: at least 5° reduction in the Cobb angle; Curve progression: at least 5° increase in the Cobb angle |
Kawasaki [36] | Japan | R | 133AIS, 12.2, 21M, 112F | 0–2 | 31.9 | 62T, 28TL, 43 double/triple curves | Underarm TLSO brace | 1.7 years | NA | Curve progression | Cobb angle > 6° identified from out-of-brace radiographs |
Strube [17] | Germany | R | 127AIS,13.1, 17M, 110F | 0–2 | 28(median) | 23D, 104S | Chêneau brace | 2.1 years | NA | Failure and success | Failure: progression of curve to ≥ 45° or surgery needed during or after treatment or weaning up until the time of data acquisition; Success: progression of curve to < 45°, no surgery |
Falbo [16] | USA | P | 17AIS, 11.82, NA | 0–3 | 27.63 | 14D, 3S | TLSO | NA | NA | In-brace correction | NA |
Kwan [29] | HK | P | 46AIS, 12.1, 4M, 42F | 0–2 | 30 | 15T, 31TL | TLSO | NA | 3.2 years | Curve progression | Cobb angle worsened by ≥ 6° or reached the threshold for surgical treatment at a minimum of 2 years of bracing or the time of the latest follow-up |
Kuroki [35] | Japan | P | 176AIS, 13.1, 14M, 162F | 0–5 | 31 | 62T, 23TL, 22L, 14DT, 42DM, 13TM | OMC brace | NA | NA | Initial brace Cobb angle | NA |