Investigating the Potential Psychological Impact of Early Screening and Long-term Monitoring for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Among Patients and Caregivers

Investigating the Potential Psychological Impact of Early Screening and Long-term Monitoring for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Among Patients and Caregivers

Adolescent Idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional deformity of the spine of unknown aetiology, characterised by a lateral curvature and vertebral rotation. Its prevalence is estimated to be 2.5% in children between aged 10 and 16 in Hong Kong. Despite concerns regarding the psycho-social issues patients face at and after AIS screening, there is no study that directly address this subject. The investigator propose to conduct a prospective longitudinal study on the psycho-social impact of AIS early screening and long-term monitoring amongst patients and their caregivers. The proposed study will bridge this research gap by evaluating a cohort of newly-diagnosed patients with AIS through the school screening program and their caregivers. A mixed-methods research approach to tap into the distinct social, behavioural, emotional and parental experiential profiles will be used. Patterns across different profiles can enhance the investigator's understanding of which aspects of AIS early screening and long-term monitoring can adversely affect patients' psychological well-being. Findings will facilitate targeted approaches to address specific psycho-social impact of scoliosis and its treatment, heighten compliance to long-term monitoring and prevention of scoliosis progression, and mobilise a new clinical care model that addresses patient and clinician concerns.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of structural scoliosis, and
2. developmentally normal cognitive function

Exclusion Criteria:

1. A nonspinal cause of scoliosis, patients who do not intend to stay in this country for the duration of treatment, and
2. those who cannot fill in the questionnaires