Sherratt, FC 
ORCID: 0000-0003-4147-9305, Swaby, L, Walker, K, Jayasuriya, R, Campbell, L, Mills, AJ, Gardner, AC, Perry, DC ORCID: 0000-0001-8420-8252, Cole, A and Young, B ORCID: 0000-0001-6041-9901
(2025)
Patient and parent perspectives on being invited to join a trial of night-time only versus full-time bracing for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
BONE & JOINT OPEN, 6 (2).
pp. 135-146.
ISSN 2633-1462, 2633-1462
Abstract
Aims The Bracing Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (BASIS) study is a randomized controlled non-inferi-ority pragmatic trial of ‘full-time bracing’ (FTB) compared to ‘night-time bracing’ (NTB) for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). We anticipated that recruiting patients to BASIS would be challenging, as it is a paediatric trial comparing two markedly different bracing pathways. No previous studies have compared the experiences of AIS patients treated with FTB to those treated with NTB. This qualitative study was embedded in BASIS to explore families’ perspectives of BASIS, to inform trial communication, and to identify strategies to support patients treated in a brace. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents (n = 26) and young people (n = 21) who had been invited to participate in BASIS at ten of the 22 UK paediatric spine services in hospitals recruiting to BASIS. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Results Families viewed their interactions with BASIS recruiters positively, but were often confused about core aspects of BASIS, such as the aims, expectations of bracing, and the process of randomization. Participants typically expressed a preference for NTB, but recruiters may have framed NTB more favourably. Patients and parents reported challenges wearing a brace, such as physical discomfort, feelings of self-consciousness, difficulty participating in physical activities, and strain on financial resources to support brace use. Patients in FTB reported more pronounced challenges. While families valued health professional support, they felt there was a lack of social, emotional, and school support, and relied on online resources, as well private counselling services to address this need. Conclusion The findings informed the development of resources and strategies, including guidance for schools and the recommendations in this paper, to support patients to wear NTB and FTB as prescribed. The results indicated opportunities for recruiters to enhance trial communication in ways that could improve informed consent and recruitment to BASIS, and inform future trials of bracing.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | 32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 3202 Clinical Sciences, Clinical Trials and Supportive Activities, Clinical Research, Pediatric Research Initiative, 7.1 Individual care needs, Musculoskeletal, 3 Good Health and Well Being |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Life Courses & Medical Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 10 Feb 2025 09:41 |
| Last Modified: | 29 Jun 2026 08:46 |
| DOI: | 10.1302/2633-1462.62.BJO-2024-0078.R1 |
| Open Access URL: | https://boneandjoint.org.uk/Article/10.1302/2633-1... |
| Related Websites: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3190223 |
| Disclaimer: | The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate. |
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