ScoliosisSAMUS SCOLINCT02610855
Effect of Treatment on Activity and Muscle Function in Pediatric Patients With Scoliosis
A study testing Spinal Fusion Surgery, Bracing and Tri-axial Accelerometers in people with Scoliosis, run by Mayo Clinic at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This study will explore the relationship between skeletal muscle and physical activity in scoliosis patients to provide insight into both the etiology of scoliosis and potential ways to mitigate the potential harms of treatment. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 9 to 16 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Scoliosis
- What is being tested?
- Spinal Fusion Surgery, Bracing and Tri-axial Accelerometers
- Type of treatment
- Medical device, Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 200 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Nov 2015to Aug 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 9 to 16 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Males and females between 9 to16 years of age
- Scoliosis/Surgery group; has severe scoliosis curves requiring posterior spinal fusion surgery
- Scoliosis/Brace group; has scoliosis curves requiring brace treatment for at least the next year
- The Control group will be aged matched participants who have healed forearm fractures and will be matched to case patients by age, gender, and Body Mass Index (BMI). These children will be considered normal subjects for both the accelerometers and the Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE)
Who cannot join
- Patients with underlying muscle conditions or neuromuscular scoliosis
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site
Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota, 55905
About this study
Official title: Effect of Treatment on Activity and Muscle Function in Pediatric Patients With Scoliosis (SAMUS SCOLI)
This study will explore the relationship between skeletal muscle and physical activity in scoliosis patients to provide insight into both the etiology of scoliosis and potential ways to mitigate the potential harms of treatment.
Read the detailed description
The aims include first, to quantify the posture and physical activity of patients in the community before and after scoliosis treatment and compare to age-matched controls. Patients undergoing bracing or surgery for scoliosis will wear novel low-profile electronic monitors for 4 days prior to and at one year after initiation of treatment. Accelerometer data from the 4 activity monitors are combined for a comprehensive profile of daily activity, above and beyond that of a typical pedometer. Analysis will show a participant's % active time vs. static, % time sitting vs. lying down vs. standing vs. walking, total number of steps taken per day, and cadence of walking during each activity bout. The amount of total daily time spent lying, sitting, standing, walking and running will be quantified using specialized processing algorithms developed at Mayo Clinic. Results will be compared to a group of age- and BMI-matched control patients with healed forearm fractures.
Second, to determine changes in the mechanical properties of the paraspinal skeletal musculature (muscles along the spine) in scoliosis patient before and after treatment with brace or spinal surgery.
Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE) is a technique that uses ultrasound, a non-invasive imaging technique, to detect mechanical properties of tissues. Using SWUE, the stiffness in the paraspinal muscles will be obtained by acquiring Shear modulus measurements, reported in kilo Pascal (kPa) units. 10 measurements will be obtained for each muscle and a region of interest (ROI) will be placed in the displayed elastogram or color map from each measurement to obtain a "kPa" value. A mean shear modulus or stiffness will be obtained by averaging all 10 results. The measurements from each ROI are derived using software built in the ultrasound equipment.
The change in paraspinal skeletal muscle stiffness will be assessed and compared to normal controls to determine characteristics of spinal musculature in scoliosis patients and the impact of treatment with bracing or surgery.
- Conditions
- Scoliosis
- Being tested
- Spinal Fusion Surgery, Bracing, Tri-axial Accelerometers, Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE)
- Medical subject headings
- Scoliosis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Spinal Fusion SurgeryProcedure or surgery
Participants with severe scoliosis curves requiring spinal fusion surgery.
BracingOther
Participants with scoliosis curves that require brace treatment for at least the next year. Braces include monitors to record hours of brace wear, as is current standard of care.
Tri-axial AccelerometersDevice
Also called ActiGraph GT3X+
Four monitors are place on the participant (waist, thigh, both ankles), attached with straps. Periods of static and dynamic activity are measured based on accelerations in three orthogonal directions for 4 day's time while participating in regular daily activities.
Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE)Other
SWUE is an ultrasound technique for noninvasively evaluating the mechanical properties (stiffness) of skeletal muscle tissue. A commercial ultrasound scanner (Aixplorer from Supersonic Imagine, France) with 2D real time SWUE will be used. The Aixplorer uses ultrasonic push beams to produce shear waves in tissue. The shear wave propagation speed is inherently related to tissue mechanical properties and is used to create a quantitative 2D elastogram of the tissue.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Spinal Fusion Surgery | Active comparator | The surgical participants recruited from the pediatric orthopaedic clinic and have severe scoliosis curves requiring posterior spinal fusion. Physical activity measured using Tri-axial accelerometers and paraspinal muscle stiffness measured by Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE) ultrasound will be quantified before and one year after spinal fusion surgery. Receives: Procedure: Spinal Fusion Surgery; Device: Tri-axial Accelerometers; Other: Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE) |
| Brace Treatment | Active comparator | The bracing participants have scoliosis curves that require treatment with a spinal brace for at least the next year. All braces will have monitors to record hours of brace wear, as is current standard of care. Physical activity measured using Tri-axial accelerometers and paraspinal muscle stiffness measured by Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE) ultrasound will be quantified before bracing and after one year. Receives: Other: Bracing; Device: Tri-axial Accelerometers; Other: Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE) |
| Control Arm | Other | The control group are participants who do not have scoliosis. Physical activity measured using Tri-axial accelerometers and paraspinal muscle stiffness measured by Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE) ultrasound will be quantified at baseline and one year after enrollment. Receives: Device: Tri-axial Accelerometers; Other: Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in percentage of day with static activity
Physical activity is measured by 4 wearable Tri-axial Accelerometers, worn for a 4 day period at baseline (prior to surgery or brace placement) and at one year after surgery of brace placement. Each second of data will be classified as static or dynamic. Among static postures, lying, standing and sitting are determined based on the orientation of the waist and thigh accelerometers in relation to the line of gravity. Accelerometer data from the 4 activity monitors are combined to provide a total percentage of time with static activities.
Measured: Baseline, 1 year
Change in dynamic physical activity as measured by step counts
Physical activity is measured by 4 wearable Tri-axial Accelerometers worn for a 4 day period at baseline (prior to surgery or brace placement) and at one year after surgery of brace placement. Each second of data will be classified as static or dynamic. Dynamic movements will be classified as walking, jogging or stair climbing based activity that exceeds the pre-defined accelerometer amplitude threshold. Step counts will be calculated based on detection of peak accelerations of the bilateral ankles using adaptive thresholds during the longest period of walking. Accelerometer data from the 4 activity monitors are combined to provide a total measure of dynamic physical activity.
Measured: Baseline, 1 year
Secondary outcomes (1)
Change in mean paraspinal muscle stiffness
Muscle stiffness is measured by Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE). This measurement evaluates normal muscle's passive and active properties at a variety of angles and tensions, resulting in a shear modulus reading, measured in average kilo Pascal units from 10 images of each muscle region of interest. A transducer is used with ultrasound to produce shear waves in tissue. The wave speed relates to the tissue's mechanical properties and is used to create a quantitative 2D elastogram of the tissue. Multiple shear modulus measurements will be averaged, and obtained:
- on control subjects at the left and right sides of the T12 spine segment level
- on the scoliosis patients, at the periapical area (apex of curve, where it is most tilted)
- at the concave and convex sides as well as at an area remote from the curvature
Measured: Baseline, 1 year
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Nov 2015 (estimated)
- Study startNov 2015
- Primary completionAug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionAug 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for ScoliosisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Mayo ClinicThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 200 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Mayo Clinic
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Todd A. Milbrandt, M.D., Mayo Clinic
- Investigators
- Todd Milbrandt, MD, Principal investigator, Mayo Clinic
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02610855
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 15-005602
- Acronym
- SAMUS SCOLI
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 12 Nov 2015
- Last updated
- 18 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Treatment on Activity and Muscle Function in Pediatric Patients With Scoliosis (SAMUS SCOLI)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02610855
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SAMUS SCOLI / 15-005602
- Conditions
- Scoliosis
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Enrolling by invitation
- Enrolment
- 200 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Mayo ClinicUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Nov 2015
- Primary completion
- Aug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Aug 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 20 Nov 2015 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study will explore the relationship between skeletal muscle and physical activity in scoliosis patients to provide insight into both the etiology of scoliosis and potential ways to mitigate the potential harms of treatment.
Detailed description
The aims include first, to quantify the posture and physical activity of patients in the community before and after scoliosis treatment and compare to age-matched controls. Patients undergoing bracing or surgery for scoliosis will wear novel low-profile electronic monitors for 4 days prior to and at one year after initiation of treatment. Accelerometer data from the 4 activity monitors are combined for a comprehensive profile of daily activity, above and beyond that of a typical pedometer. Analysis will show a participant's % active time vs. static, % time sitting vs. lying down vs. standing vs. walking, total number of steps taken per day, and cadence of walking during each activity bout. The amount of total daily time spent lying, sitting, standing, walking and running will be quantified using specialized processing algorithms developed at Mayo Clinic. Results will be compared to a group of age- and BMI-matched control patients with healed forearm fractures.
Second, to determine changes in the mechanical properties of the paraspinal skeletal musculature (muscles along the spine) in scoliosis patient before and after treatment with brace or spinal surgery.
Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE) is a technique that uses ultrasound, a non-invasive imaging technique, to detect mechanical properties of tissues. Using SWUE, the stiffness in the paraspinal muscles will be obtained by acquiring Shear modulus measurements, reported in kilo Pascal (kPa) units. 10 measurements will be obtained for each muscle and a region of interest (ROI) will be placed in the displayed elastogram or color map from each measurement to obtain a "kPa" value. A mean shear modulus or stiffness will be obtained by averaging all 10 results. The measurements from each ROI are derived using software built in the ultrasound equipment.
The change in paraspinal skeletal muscle stiffness will be assessed and compared to normal controls to determine characteristics of spinal musculature in scoliosis patients and the impact of treatment with bracing or surgery.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Spinal Fusion Surgery | Active comparator | Procedure: Spinal Fusion Surgery, Device: Tri-axial Accelerometers, Other: Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE)The surgical participants recruited from the pediatric orthopaedic clinic and have severe scoliosis curves requiring posterior spinal fusion. Physical activity measured using Tri-axial accelerometers and paraspinal muscle stiffness measured by Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE) ultrasound will be quantified before and one year after spinal fusion surgery. |
| Brace Treatment | Active comparator | Other: Bracing, Device: Tri-axial Accelerometers, Other: Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE)The bracing participants have scoliosis curves that require treatment with a spinal brace for at least the next year. All braces will have monitors to record hours of brace wear, as is current standard of care. Physical activity measured using Tri-axial accelerometers and paraspinal muscle stiffness measured by Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE) ultrasound will be quantified before bracing and after one year. |
| Control Arm | Other | Device: Tri-axial Accelerometers, Other: Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE)The control group are participants who do not have scoliosis. Physical activity measured using Tri-axial accelerometers and paraspinal muscle stiffness measured by Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE) ultrasound will be quantified at baseline and one year after enrollment. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 9 to 16 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Males and females between 9 to16 years of age
- Scoliosis/Surgery group; has severe scoliosis curves requiring posterior spinal fusion surgery
- Scoliosis/Brace group; has scoliosis curves requiring brace treatment for at least the next year
- The Control group will be aged matched participants who have healed forearm fractures and will be matched to case patients by age, gender, and Body Mass Index (BMI). These children will be considered normal subjects for both the accelerometers and the Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE)
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Patients with underlying muscle conditions or neuromuscular scoliosis
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Spinal Fusion SurgeryParticipants with severe scoliosis curves requiring spinal fusion surgery. | Procedure or surgery | Spinal Fusion Surgery |
| BracingParticipants with scoliosis curves that require brace treatment for at least the next year. Braces include monitors to record hours of brace wear, as is current standard of care. | Other | Brace Treatment |
| Tri-axial AccelerometersAlso: ActiGraph GT3X+Four monitors are place on the participant (waist, thigh, both ankles), attached with straps. Periods of static and dynamic activity are measured based on accelerations in three orthogonal directions for 4 day's time while participating in regular daily activities. | Device | Brace Treatment, Control Arm, Spinal Fusion Surgery |
| Shear Wave Elastography (SWUE)SWUE is an ultrasound technique for noninvasively evaluating the mechanical properties (stiffness) of skeletal muscle tissue. A commercial ultrasound scanner (Aixplorer from Supersonic Imagine, France) with 2D real time SWUE will be used. The Aixplorer uses ultrasonic push beams to produce shear waves in tissue. The shear wave propagation speed is inherently related to tissue mechanical properties and is used to create a quantitative 2D elastogram of the tissue. | Other | Brace Treatment, Control Arm, Spinal Fusion Surgery |
Primary outcome
Change in percentage of day with static activity
Time frame: Baseline, 1 year
Physical activity is measured by 4 wearable Tri-axial Accelerometers, worn for a 4 day period at baseline (prior to surgery or brace placement) and at one year after surgery of brace placement. Each second of data will be classified as static or dynamic. Among static postures, lying, standing and sitting are determined based on the orientation of the waist and thigh accelerometers in relation to the line of gravity. Accelerometer data from the 4 activity monitors are combined to provide a total percentage of time with static activities.
Change in dynamic physical activity as measured by step counts
Time frame: Baseline, 1 year
Physical activity is measured by 4 wearable Tri-axial Accelerometers worn for a 4 day period at baseline (prior to surgery or brace placement) and at one year after surgery of brace placement. Each second of data will be classified as static or dynamic. Dynamic movements will be classified as walking, jogging or stair climbing based activity that exceeds the pre-defined accelerometer amplitude threshold. Step counts will be calculated based on detection of peak accelerations of the bilateral ankles using adaptive thresholds during the longest period of walking. Accelerometer data from the 4 activity monitors are combined to provide a total measure of dynamic physical activity.
1 secondary outcome
Change in mean paraspinal muscle stiffness
Time frame: Baseline, 1 year
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 18 Sep 2026.
- Mayo Clinic Clinical TrialsLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Todd Milbrandt, MD principal investigator
Mayo Clinic
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Spinal Fusion Surgery, Bracing and Tri-axial Accelerometers in people with Scoliosis, run by Mayo Clinic at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in percentage of day with static activity (time frame: Baseline, 1 year). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Sep 2026.