Pain and Radiographic Outcomes in Adult Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients Using a Scoliosis Activity Suit: An 18-Month Case Controlled Chart Review

Abstract

There are few conservative treatment options for patients with adult idiopathic scoliosis. These typically include pharmacologic pain management, epidural injections, and generalized CAM treatments such as massage and chiropractic manipulation. The purpose of this study was to compare the post-treatment results in patients wearing the scoliosis activity suit versus baseline assessments as well as adult scoliosis patients who did not wear the activity suit. The pain and Cobb angle outcomes of 53 consecutive patients with adult idiopathic scoliosis following a trial of a scoliosis activity suit were reviewed. The average scores and measurements at 18 months were statistically significantly improved for both the quadruple numerical pain rating scale as well as Cobb angle. The scoliosis activity suit may be a viable supportive therapy for the treatment of chronic pain associated with adult idiopathic scoliosis. Further prospective studies should evaluate treatment effects of this suit using intent-to-treat methodology.