Body image in brace treated and untreated patients: preliminary results from BrAIST

Methods Data from 178 BrAIST subjects that chose treatment were used. Subjects that switched treatment during the study were not included in the analyses. Body image constructs, based on cognitive-behavioral perspectives (1), were used to measure the following: how adolescents’ 1) think they look (self-body image), 2) want to look (ideal-body image), and 3) the difference between these constructs (self-ideal body image discrepancy). The Spinal Appearance Questionnaire (SAQ) (2) measures these constructs and scores were compared with largest curve size, BMI, and qualityof-life measures. Wilcoxon ranked sum tests were conducted to test differences in self-body image means, idealbody image means, and self-ideal body image discrepancy means between the treated and untreated groups at baseline and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 month follow-up visits.