Measurement of Corrective Force Changes Under Scoliosis Brace in Different Spine Postures

Brace has been commonly customized for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The corrective force generated by the brace is often considered to be applied statically at the fixed torso location defined by the orthotist when the patient is standing upright. However, despite being stabilized by the brace, daily spine movements still occur, and the changes in the magnitude and distribution of corrective forces across different spine postures remain implicit. This study proposes a method to measure pressure distributions under a thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO) worn by an AIS patient using a self-developed pressure monitoring system. A total of 100 sensors were placed all over the interior surface of the brace. Contact pressures were measured in ten static spine postures and during walking and jogging. The results showed that the magnitude and distribution of corrective forces varied across different postures and movements, with the location of the maximum corrective force shifting from the intended torso location, potentially decreasing the effectiveness of the brace. The findings provide valuable insights for orthotists to assess brace effectiveness through quantifying changes in corrective forces.