How Mindfulness Can Help Teenagers with Scoliosis

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a condition where the spine curves sideways in teenagers. The most common treatment is a brace to prevent the curve from getting worse and avoid surgery. However, many teenagers struggle to wear brace for enough hours each day, which limits the benefits of the treatment.

Researchers compared two programs to help teenagers wear the brace for more hours each day. The first program was called MBrace and used mindfulness, which is a type of meditation where you focus on the present moment without judging yourself. The second program was supervised physical exercises called physiotherapy exercises (PE). The researchers wanted to see which program was better at helping teenagers wear the brace for more hours each day.

Clinical Trial

The clinical trial included 83 teenagers with AIS who had trouble wearing the brace for at least 18 hours a day. The researchers randomly assigned the teenagers to either the MBrace program (45 teenagers) or the PE program (38 teenagers). The researchers checked the teenagers' brace-wearing hours at month 8, which was six months after the end of the program. They also asked the teenagers about their quality of life, self-compassion, emotion regulation, self-efficacy, stress, and mindfulness levels at the end of the program (month 2) and at month 8.

Results:

The trial found that the teenagers who did the MBrace program wore their brace for more hours each day at month 8 than the teenagers who did the PE program. At month 2, the MBrace program had a significant effect on the teenagers' brace-wearing hours.

The researchers did not find any significant differences between the two programs for quality of life, self-compassion, emotion regulation, self-efficacy, stress, or mindfulness levels.

The MBrace program is a shorter version of a program called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. The program teaches teenagers how to focus on their breathing and become aware of their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. The program also encourages teenagers to accept themselves and their condition with kindness.

The PE program includes physical exercises supervised by a physiotherapist to improve posture, strengthen muscles, and reduce pain.

The trial suggests that mindfulness-based programs, like the MBrace program, can help teenagers wear their brace for more hours each day. Wearing the brace is difficult for many teenagers, and not wearing it enough can lead to more severe curvature of the spine and the need for surgery. Mindfulness-based programs can be an option to help teenagers deal with the challenges of wearing a brace.

The researchers found that the MBrace program did not have any negative effects on teenagers' mental health or well-being. In fact, teenagers who did the MBrace program reported higher levels of mindfulness, self-compassion, and self-efficacy than teenagers who did the PE program.

Conclusion

This trial found that mindfulness-based programs, like the MBrace program, can help teenagers wear their brace for more hours each day. The program uses mindfulness meditation and encourages self-compassion and self-acceptance. It is a non-invasive and non-pharmacological approach to help teenagers cope with the challenges of wearing a brace. If you or someone you know has AIS, talk to a healthcare provider about the MBrace program and other treatment options available.

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