Development of Intelligent Nighttime Brace With Smart Padding to Treat Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional spinal deformity affecting children aged 10 to 16, with up to 4 in 100 adolescents potentially having this condition. AIS is characterized by asymmetrical shoulders, bulging ribs, or a tilted torso, though patients typically do not experience pain or neurological issues. Treatment varies based on the severity of the spinal curvature and bone maturity, ranging from observation and bracing to surgery and Schroth exercises. Full-day brace wear (18 hours/day) is often recommended but challenging for adolescents, leading to low compliance rates and associated psychological stress for both patients and parents (Vicente et al., 2021). To address these issues, nighttime braces have been developed to reduce wear time to a minimum of 8 hours per night by overcorrecting the major scoliotic curve during sleep. However, existing nighttime braces, such as the Charleston brace, can cause compensatory curves and permanent overcorrected spinal curvatures, as well as skin issues like rashes and redness (Yrjönen et al., 2006). This study aims to improve nighttime brace design and material selection to enhance patient compliance and treatment outcomes. The design process will integrate clinical studies, material science, garment design and wearable technologies. The primary function of the proposed brace is to control spinal deformity during sleep. Key features of the new brace include the careful selection of sweat-wicking and breathable textiles to ensure comfort. The brace will incorporate a smart padding system that automatically adjusts corrective forces and positions. Preliminary clinical trials will be conducted with a diverse group of subjects to refine and optimize the intelligent brace. These trials aim to ensure the brace’s effectiveness across various cases. The intelligent brace is designed to enhance patient compliance and treatment efficiency while reducing the risk of skin problems through automatic adjustments and a comfortable wearing experience, ultimately improving overall patient outcomes.