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Useful Links | Mental Health

Mental Health Articles and Studies for Scoliosis Patients

  • This review explores the psychosocial and quality-of-life impacts of scoliosis, particularly on adolescents and adults. It highlights how scoliosis can affect body image, psychological well-being, and treatment satisfaction. Adolescents often experience significant psychosocial challenges, while adults typically face fewer issues unless there are physical health concerns. The study emphasizes the importance of interventions that address psychological distress and body image to improve patient outcomes. Read more here: A review of quality of life and psychosocial issues in scoliosis | PubMed
  • This narrative review examines the mental health challenges faced by adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). It discusses the emotional and psychological impact of the condition, including an increased risk of anxiety, depression, and body image issues. The article emphasizes the need for comprehensive care that addresses both the physical and mental well-being of individuals with AIS. Read more here: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis and Mental Health Disorders: A Narrative Review of the Literature | PMC
  • This study investigates depression screening in pediatric orthopedic surgery clinics, highlighting the prevalence of depression among adolescent patients. It compares screening results from orthopedic and primary care settings and identifies specific patient populations at higher risk for depression. The research underscores the importance of implementing mental health assessments within orthopedic practices to better support at- risk youth. Read more here: Depression Screening in Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Clinics and Identifying Patients At-Risk | PubMed
Pediatric Spine Patients--Mental Health Program
  • This mental health article reviews the psychological and psychiatric comorbidities commonly seen in youth with serious physical illnesses. It highlights the prevalence of mood, anxiety, and behavioral disorders in children facing chronic or terminal conditions, and discusses strategies for clinicians to differentiate between normative and pathological distress. The paper also provides evidence-based recommendations for both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy interventions to address these mental health challenges. Read more here: Psychological and Psychiatric Comorbidities in Youth with Serious Physical Illness | PMC
  • This article highlights the significant role mental health plays in orthopaedic trauma outcomes. It underscores the need for orthopedic surgeons to recognize patients at risk for poor recovery due to conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The study suggests that routine mental health screenings should be conducted to identify at-risk individuals, who should then be referred to appropriate resources for better treatment outcomes. Read more here: Patient Mental Health and Well-being: Its Impact on Orthopaedic Trauma Outcomes | PubMed
  • This study explores how pre-operative factors such as anxiety, pain, and functional limitations can predict poorer outcomes following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). It emphasizes the role of psychological factors, such as anxiety and depression, in influencing recovery, suggesting that addressing these issues before surgery could improve post-operative results. We can assess the results of this study in relation to pediatric orthopedics. Read more here: Greater pre-operative anxiety, pain and poorer function predict a worse outcome of a total knee arthroplasty | PubMed
  • This study explores the use of the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) to assess anxiety in orthopedic patients. It found that 20% of new orthopedic patients reported anxiety levels that could require intervention, with those seeking spine care showing the highest anxiety levels. The research also highlighted that anxiety had a stronger correlation with physical function and pain interference than depression. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating mental health assessments in orthopedic practices to improve patient outcomes. Read more here: Anxiety in the Orthopaedic Patient: Using PROMIS to Assess Mental Health | PMC
  • This study examines the impact of anxiety and depression on healthcare costs and opioid use in patients undergoing rotator cuff repair. It finds that individuals with these mood disorders had significantly higher healthcare expenses and opioid consumption both before and after surgery compared to those without such conditions. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing mental health in surgical patient care to potentially reduce costs and improve outcomes. Read more here: Increased Health Care Costs and Opioid Use in Patients with Anxiety and Depression Undergoing Rotator Cuff Repair | PubMed
  • This study investigates the prevalence of depressive symptoms before and after lumbar spinal fusion surgery, highlighting their association with disability levels. It found that 34% of patients reported depressive symptoms pre-operatively, with the prevalence decreasing post-surgery. However, patients with pre-operative depression continued to experience higher disability levels, despite improvements in both groups. The findings emphasize the need for mental health support in surgical care. Read more here: The prevalence of depressive symptoms before and after surgery and its association with disability in patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion | PubMed
  • This study examines how parental emotional distress influences the way parents report their child’s anxiety. It finds that both maternal and paternal anxiety and depression levels are significant predictors of how anxious parents perceive their children, particularly for younger children. The study highlights that parent reports of child anxiety may not always align with the child’s self-reports, and the findings have implications for understanding the role of family dynamics in managing child anxiety. Read more here: The role of parental emotional distress in parent report of child anxiety | PubMed
  • This study investigates factors that predict parental anxiety surrounding their infant’s or toddler’s postoperative and pain experiences. It identifies key psychological variables, such as parent coping mechanisms and self-efficacy, which influence preoperative anxiety. The research also examines the relationship between parental anxiety and the child’s postoperative pain outcomes. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing parental mental health to improve both parent and child experiences during and after surgery. Read more here: Factors Predicting Parent Anxiety Around Infant and Toddler Postoperative and Pain | PubMed
  • This systematic review explores the high prevalence of anxiety in children and adolescents with chronic medical conditions. It examines the various factors that contribute to this anxiety, including the impact of the medical condition itself, family dynamics, and psychological factors. The review emphasizes the need for integrated mental health care to address the mental well-being of children with chronic illnesses to improve their overall outcomes. Read more here: Systematic Review: Anxiety in Children and Adolescents With Chronic Medical Conditions | PubMed
  • This study examines how preoperative anxiety impacts postoperative recovery in orthopedic surgery. It found that patients with high preoperative anxiety experienced greater anxiety in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and continued to face emotional challenges, including anxiety, sadness, and depression, three days after discharge. The study highlights the importance of addressing preoperative anxiety to improve both immediate and long-term recovery outcomes. Read more here: The Impact of Preoperative Patient Anxiety on Postoperative Anxiety and Quality of Recovery After Orthopaedic Surgery | ScienceDirect
  • This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine if Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric Domain scores could be reliably predicted from legacy patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in adolescents with spinal deformity. The study found that PROMIS domains, including Pain Interference, Mobility, Physical Stress Experiences, Psychological Stress Experiences, and Physical Activity, could be accurately predicted from legacy scores like the Scoliosis Research Society-22r (SRS-22r) and the Hospital for Special Surgery Functional Activity Brief Scale (HSS Pedi-FABS). The results suggest that these translation models are reliable for use in pediatric and adolescent scoliosis patients, providing a way to predict PROMIS scores from widely-used legacy PROMs. Read more here: Legacy Patient-reported Outcome Measures Can Be Reliably Translated to PROMIS Domains for Use in Adolescent Spinal Deformity
  • This study assesses the construct validity of 8 PROMIS computer adaptive testing (CAT) measures in children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The researchers found that 6 out of the 8 PROMIS CATs (Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, Mobility, Pain Behavior, Pain Interference, and Physical Stress Experiences) were valid for evaluating AIS patients. The study showed strong correlations between PROMIS and the Scoliosis Research Society-22r (SRS-22r) domains, particularly for pain and mental health measures. However, ceiling effects were observed for some PROMIS domains, which should be considered in future assessments. These findings validate the use of PROMIS measures in pediatric scoliosis patients and highlight the need to be cautious of ceiling effects. Read more here: Construct Validity of Pediatric PROMIS Computerized Adaptive Testing Measures in Children With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Lists for those who have taken Scoliosis Training for Mental Health Providers

Community + Internal Resources—Scoliosis Training Complete
Scolios-us Training

To find a Mental Health Provider in your area, use the links below

 

Additional Resources

Internal Resources

Bracing Patients Links

  • Patient/Peer Support and Education
  • Patient to Patient Connections
    • Feel free to reach out to our Mental Health Coordinator if you’d like to connect with a former patient or their caregiver to hear about their experience, discuss surgery expectations, recovery tips, items they brought to the hospital, and what they found helpful.
  • Parent/Caregiver Support
    • Parent to Parent USA (P2P) | P2P connects parents of children with special needs, including those with scoliosis, to trained support parents who have faced similar challenges. They offer emotional and informational support, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding. You can find support near you through their website.
    • This blog lists online communities for parents seeking support and advice. Platforms like Facebook host various groups where parents share experiences and resources. For instance, “Mommies of Miracles” is an international, peer-driven support group for mothers of children with complex medical needs.
  • Parent Support Groups | National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) | NAMI offers support groups like the Family Support Group, which provides a safe space for parents to share experiences and coping strategies. This can be particularly beneficial for parents navigating the emotional aspects of their child’s health journey.

Surgery Patients Links

  • Patient/Peer Support and Education
  • Patient to Patient Connections
    • Feel free to reach out to our Mental Health Coordinator if you’d like to connect with a former patient or their caregiver to hear about their experience, discuss surgery expectations, recovery tips, items they brought to the hospital, and what they found helpful.
  • Parent/Caregiver Support
    • Parent to Parent USA (P2P) | P2P connects parents of children with special needs, including those with scoliosis, to trained support parents who have faced similar challenges. They offer emotional and informational support, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding. You can find support near you through their website.
    • This blog lists online communities for parents seeking support and advice. Platforms like Facebook host various groups where parents share experiences and resources. For instance, “Mommies of Miracles” is an international, peer-driven support group for mothers of children with complex medical needs.
  • Parent Support Groups | National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) | NAMI offers support groups like the Family Support Group, which provides a safe space for parents to share experiences and coping strategies. This can be particularly beneficial for parents navigating the emotional aspects of their child’s health journey.

Scholarship Opportunities for Students with Scoliosis

  • The Student Award Program of FSD | The Foundation for Science and Disability has established a fund to provide financial assistance for graduate and professional students with disabilities. This effort focuses on students in the STEM disciplines, and makes $1,000 awards to those in any of the following fields: science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or medicine. Download Graduate Student Grant Application Form and instructions.
  • Abbott & Fenner Scholarship | This is open to high school juniors and seniors. Students with any form of medical condition or disability are often eligible
  • The Burger King Scholars Program | This is available for high school seniors, and while not exclusive to students with scoliosis, it is open to those with disabilities and medical conditions.
  • The Disability Scholarship by the American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) | The AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship Health and Disability is awarded annually to a student with a disability who is pursuing undergraduate/graduate studies (must be at least enrolled as a Junior in college) in an accredited university who is pursuing studies related to the health and disability, to include, but not limited to public health, health promotion, disability studies, disability research, rehabilitation engineering, audiology, disability policy, special education and majors that will impact quality of life of persons with disabilities.
  • ABC Medical | semi-annual scholarships, divided into the following three categories: Adaptive Sports, Scholar Athletes, and Making a Difference. The Adaptive Sports scholarship will be divided by age group (Junior, College, Adult) and will be awarded to individuals who represent good sportsmanship, display continuous respect for themselves and others, and display leadership characteristics on their adaptive sports team. The Scholar Athlete award will be given to individuals in need of financial assistance for their college tuition. The Making a Difference scholarship will be given to individuals that are trying to improve their own lives or improve the lives of others around them.
  • AvaCare Medical Scholarship | Offer an annual scholarship of $1,000 for students in the medical and healthcare field. When choosing winners, we will give preference to students with a physical disability.
  • Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C Disability Scholarship | The scholarship will award $1,000.00 to one student selected by our scholarship selection committee. The student must be attending an accredited college or university. The program is open to students of any age, with any type of disability, including but not limited to physical disabilities, medical conditions, mental or psychiatric conditions, speech and language, learning disabilities, behavioral conditions, and all other conditions.
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