Creating a tool to help make decisions about surgery for children with scoliosis
Official title: Developing an Innovative Decision Support Tool for Pediatric Neuromuscular Scoliosis
Funded at University of Utah · NIH-11101102 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a helpful tool to support families in making better decisions about surgery for children with neuromuscular scoliosis, making sure that both doctors and families can work together during uncertain times.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $173,340 |
| NIH project number | 5K23AR079778-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11101102 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children with neuromuscular scoliosis and their families who are facing decisions about surgical treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have neuromuscular scoliosis or are not considering surgical options may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a decision support tool aimed at improving surgical treatment decisions for children with neuromuscular scoliosis. The project will involve understanding how families make decisions in uncertain medical situations and will apply this knowledge to create a tool that facilitates shared decision-making between healthcare providers and families. The research will also assess the feasibility of this tool in clinical settings, ensuring it meets the needs of patients and their families. Dr. Jody Lin, the principal investigator, will receive training in decision science and implementation strategies to enhance the effectiveness of this tool.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better-informed decisions for families, ultimately improving health outcomes for children with scoliosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using decision support tools to enhance shared decision-making in various medical contexts, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lin, Jody — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Lin, Jody
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.