The application of integrated force and temperature sensors to enhance orthotic treatment monitoring in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis : a pilot study

Abstract

Orthosis-wearing compliance is crucial for achieving positive treatment outcomes in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), for whom 23 h of daily wear is typically prescribed. However, self-reported compliance is subjective and often based on patients’ memory, leading to inaccuracies. While portable electronic devices have been developed to objectively monitor compliance, relying solely on temperature or force data can be insufficient. This study introduced a novel method that integrated both force and temperature data to estimate orthosis-wearing compliance. Twelve patients (eight females and four males) diagnosed with moderate AIS were included. Each patient was prescribed a thoracic-lumbar-sacral orthosis equipped with an integrated force and temperature sensor system. After one month of orthotic treatment, self-reported wear time averaged 17.8 ± 6.2 h/day, while the sensor indicated an average wear time of 13.3 ± 5.0 h/day. Most patients overestimated their compliance. Nighttime was the most common period for orthosis wear (6.1 h/day), whereas compliance during school hours (2.8 h/day) and after-school hours (3.7 h/day) was lower. The integration of force and temperature sensors provides a more comprehensive understanding of orthosis compliance. Future studies with larger samples and longer monitoring periods are needed to investigate the correlation between compliance and treatment outcomes.