{ "abstract": "Background\n\nScoliosis is a common term used for a group of conditions that involve abnormal curvature and rotation of the spine, thorax, and trunk. If untreated, scoliosis may lead to severe trunk deformities, which consequently limit physical function, exercise capacity, general well-being, ability to work, and the mental health of affected individuals. Little is known about how adolescents with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) and their caregivers cope with scoliosis and what kind of needs, frustrations, and difficulties they experience during treatment.Aim\n\nThis study aimed to explore the difficulties, needs, and frustrations experienced by adolescents with AIS and their caregivers.Methods\n\nAn exploratory qualitative design was adopted. A total of 17 participants were recruited through purposive sampling with the aid of user organizations and hospitals in Norway from April to August in 2023. A total of five audio-recorded, semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. The discussions focused on the needs, frustrations, and challenges of adolescents with AIS and their caregivers.Results\n\nThis study explored the needs for improvement in health care services related to AIS in Norway, from the perspectives of adolescents and caregivers. Participants reported a lack of communication and information surrounding AIS diagnosis, forcing them to actively seek help. Gaps were also reported, in post-operative follow-up care and conservative treatment of scoliosis, where adolescents with AIS feel overlooked and alone in their recovery and physiotherapy. Participants voiced frustrations, including the psychosocial impact of the condition which affects school attendance due to back pain and absence from activities, leading to feelings of isolation.Conclusion\n\nThe study identified significant gaps in Norway's AIS health care services that could be addressed with digital solutions. Adolescents with AIS and caregivers reported inadequate communication, poor post-operative care, and struggles with conservative treatment.", "abstract_shown": true, "affiliations": [ "Department of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet), Oslo, Norway. kasyk0342@oslomet.no.", "Department of Product Design, Faculty of Technology, Art and Design, Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet), Oslo, Norway.", "Department of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet), Oslo, Norway.", "Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.", "Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.", "Department of Life Sciences and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslomet University, Oslo, Norway.", "Department of Sociology and Social Network, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway.", "Norwegian Spine and Back Pain Association, Oslo, Norway.", "Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore." ], "article_type": "research article", "arxiv": null, "author_total": 11, "authors": [ { "affs": [ 0 ], "name": "Kamila Sykorova", "orcid": "0009-0003-0404-5409" }, { "affs": [ 1 ], "name": "Nenad Pavel", "orcid": "0000-0003-3608-6806" }, { "affs": [ 2 ], "name": "Anna Mathew", "orcid": "0009-0003-2010-9556" }, { "affs": [ 2 ], "name": "Marianne Bakke Johnsen", "orcid": "0000-0003-4300-5250" }, { "affs": [ 3, 4 ], "name": "June Ullevoldsæter Lystad", "orcid": "0009-0005-3792-7533" }, { "affs": [ 2 ], "name": "Helen Christine Bull", "orcid": "0000-0002-4759-1392" }, { "affs": [ 5 ], "name": "Parisa Gazerani", "orcid": "0000-0003-0109-3600" }, { "affs": [ 6, 7 ], "name": "Mette Fløystad Kvammen", "orcid": "0009-0003-5044-0223" }, { "affs": [ 8 ], "name": "He Hong-Gu", "orcid": "0000-0001-8545-1123" }, { "affs": [ 1 ], "name": "Julia Jacoby", "orcid": "0009-0003-8590-1819" }, { "affs": [ 2, 1 ], "name": "Minna Annika Pikkarainen", "orcid": "0000-0003-4516-6584" } ], "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/19g72d5z01sct.bib", "cited_by": 0, "doi": "10.1186/s12891-026-10210-7", "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13717966", "id": "19g72d5z01sct", "issns": [ "1471-2474" ], "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958195", "language": "eng", "licence": "CC-BY", "licence_label": "CC BY", "licence_source": "article", "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/", "metadata_licence": null, "native_subjects": [ [ "heading", "Research" ], [ "lcc", "RC925-935" ], [ "openalex", "2746|Scoliosis diagnosis and treatment" ] ], "openalex": "W7172090984", "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13717966?pdf=render", "pmcid": "PMC13717966", "pmid": "42958195", "published": "2026-08-01", "publisher": "BMC", "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/19g72d5z01sct.ris", "sources": [ { "first_seen": "2026-11-01T00:20:47Z", "native_id": "MED:42958195", "source": "europepmc", "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958195" }, { "first_seen": "2026-11-01T14:21:16Z", "native_id": "100eccae64244550b1970623d95a1497", "source": "doaj", "url": "https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-026-10210-7" }, { "first_seen": "2026-11-02T12:22:08Z", "native_id": "PMC13717966", "source": "pmc", "url": "https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-026-10210-7" } ], "subjects": [ { "field": "medicine", "origin": "openalex:2746|Scoliosis diagnosis and treatment", "subfield": "surgery" } ], "title": "Understanding the needs and frustrations in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a qualitative interview study.", "title_text": "Understanding the needs and frustrations in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a qualitative interview study.", "type": "peer-reviewed", "updated_at": "2026-11-03T14:20:44Z", "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/19g72d5z01sct", "venue": "BMC musculoskeletal disorders", "versions": [] }