Development of an Ultra-thin Piezoresistive Velostat-Based Wearable Sensor for Real-time Pressure Monitoring in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Bracing

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), affecting approximately 2–3% of adolescents worldwide, is characterized by an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine without a known cause. To prevent curve progression, conservative treatments such as bracing are employed to mechanically adjust the spine toward a more physiological alignment. However, current brace fabrication processes often overlook the critical assessment of contact pressures between the brace and the patient's body, essential for optimizing therapeutic efficacy and patient comfort. This study presents the development of an ultra-thin, wearable pressure sensor leveraging the piezoresistive properties of Velostat for real-time monitoring of contact pressures in AIS bracing. Preliminary in vitro tests demonstrate the sensor's effectiveness in detecting pressure changes, supporting its potential to enhance conservative scoliosis treatment. These promising results justify advancing to in vivo experimentation to evaluate clinical applicability.