Screening for scoliosis: To what degree (In what extend) of scoliosis parents recognize a deformity of the spine

Scoliosis is a condition that causes the spine to curve sideways. And while there are several different types of scoliosis that affect children and adolescents, the most common is idiopathic scoliosis, which means the exact cause of the condition is not known. For years, routine scoliosis screening has been controversial with studies both supporting and discouraging efforts. However, the 2013, multi-center
National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study, Bracing in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Trial (BrAIST), documented significant success in preventing spinal curve progression and surgery in children who were screened, diagnosed, and treated with a custom brace. The BrAIST study provided high quality evidence that bracing for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis can decrease the rate of progression of spinal curve to the surgical level. Early detection of scoliosis is essential to identifying patients who may benefit from the use of a spinal brace.

Primary hypothesis: When the external characteristics of scoliosis become more visible, parents will recognize a scoliosis more quickly.



Secondary hypothesis:

A brief instruction on the external characteristics of scoliosis will parents help in recognizing scoliosis more quickly

On one moment parent will make a questionnaire. They will see forty pictures of children from behind with and without scoliosis. Different kind and degree of scoliosis will be shown. They have to answer if they recognize a spinal deformity. After forty pictures, the parents will get an instruction on the external characteristics of scoliosis. After the instruction the parents will see the same pictures again and they have to answer again if they recognize a spinal deformity.

a brief instruction on of (to) the external characteristics of scoliosis