Bracing in adult scoliosis: a scoping review of clinical outcomes

Abstract

Bracing is commonly used as a conservative treatment for scoliosis, but its effects in adults with scoliosis remain unclear. To map and synthesize the existing evidence on the effects of bracing in adults with scoliosis, focusing on radiological outcomes, pain, physical function, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the Population–Concept–Context framework. Systematic searches were performed in Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library from inception to December 12, 2025. Eligible studies included adults with scoliosis treated conservatively with bracing and reporting clinical outcomes. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. Due to heterogeneity in study designs and outcome measures, findings were synthesized descriptively and narratively. Of 403 identified records, 13 studies published between 2006 and 2023 met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were conducted in Europe and primarily included case reports, feasibility studies, and prospective observational designs. Frequently reported brace types were Physio-logic ® , Gensingen ® , and Peak Scoliosis braces. Outcomes included Cobb angle, pain intensity, physical function, and HRQoL. Overall, available studies suggested that bracing may be associated with improvements in pain and physical function and may contribute to curve stabilization in selected adults with scoliosis; however, these findings should be interpreted cautiously due to small sample sizes, heterogeneous study designs, and methodological limitations. Bracing in adults with scoliosis may be associated with potential clinical benefits, particularly regarding pain, physical function, and curve stabilization in selected populations. However, the available evidence remains limited and heterogeneous, emphasizing the need for high-quality prospective studies to further evaluate effectiveness and identify patient groups most likely to benefit from bracing.