目的：就原發性脊柱側彎病患而言，背架是一種有效且被廣為接受的非手術性治療。作者將報告使用於脊柱側彎矯正治療上的一種新型脊椎背架－三度空間立體氣墊式脊柱側彎背架系統之臨床經驗。因此，本篇研究目的將評估部分穿戴此背架對於降低側彎角度的矯正效果。方法：11位原發性脊柱側彎患者（年齡由14到32歲），志願參與三度空間立體氣墊式背架的評估研究。患者每天必須穿戴背架15至18小時且至少持續4個月。藉由在X光片上測量Cobb角度及椎莖位移的方法，評估背架治療後穿戴背架及未穿戴背架時的脊柱側彎角度及椎體旋轉等級。結果：平均背架治療時間為229.5±57.7天。在治療後最後一次追蹤中，腰椎側彎患者的穿背架及脫去背架後的側彎角度平均改善29.4±7.6°(Wilcoxon signed ranks test, Z=-2.524, p=0.012, α=0.017)及15.0±3.5°(Z=-2.521, p=0.012 。腰椎側彎患者的椎體旋轉程度與治療前相比穿背架時(Z=-2.598, p=0.009, α=0.017)與脫去背架後(Z=-2.646, p=0.008)皆進步了至少一個等級。但是對於胸—腰側彎患者的椎體旋轉程度則沒有改善。結論：利用部分時間穿戴三度空間立體氣墊式脊柱側彎背架對於側彎角度及椎體旋轉的矯正均有良好的效果。但是脫去背架後的長期維持效果仍需進一步追蹤。此外，本研究進一步需要收集更多病患資料，來證實此種背架對腰椎及胸椎側彎或旋轉的病患的矯正效果。（物理治療2003;28(3):117-128）

Background and purpose: Bracing is an accepted non-operative treatment for idiopathic scoliosis patients to halt the progression of scoliosis curvatures. Its efficacy in correcting scoliosis curvatures, however, is not clear. The authors report their preliminary experience with a new custom-made spinal orthosis, a three-dimensional (3D) air pressure bracing system for the management of scoliosis patients. Methods: A group of 11 brace-treated volunteers, aged 14-32 years, with idiopathic scoliosis participated in the trial. Patients wore the 3D air pressure brace for 15-18 hours per day for at least 4 months. Standardized evaluations were performed to assess the curvature and vertebral rotation using the Cobb and pedicle methods by comparing three standing anteroposterior radiographs taken before and after treatment. Results: The mean bracing treatment duration was 229.5±57.7 days. At the last follow-up, the primary lumbar curvature improved 29.4±7.6° (Wilcoxon signed ranks test, Z=-2.524, p=0.012, α=0.017) with brace and 15.0±3.5°(Z=-2.521, p=0.012) without brace. All patients with primary lumbar scoliosis showed improvements in vertebral rotation of at least one grade as compared with pre-brace (Z=-2.598, p=0.009, α=0.017) and without brace (Z=-2.646, p=0.008). Conclusions: Our results suggest that part time wearing of the 3D air pressure brace is effective in decreasing the degrees of lateral spinal curvature and vertebral rotation. However, further studies are necessary to include more patients and to follow the patients for a longer period of time in order to examine the maintenance effect and to determine the efficacy of this brace in patients with single lumbar curve as well as those with lumbar and thoracic curves and rotations.(FJPT 2003;28(3): 117-128)