First results of pain treatment in scoliosis patients using a sagittal realignment brace

For adult scoliosis patients with chronic pain bracing is indicated before spinal surgery is considered. The treatment with the "sagittal realignment brace" (physio-logic brace) has clearly improved chronic low back pain in a short test period. Thus we started a prospective study to estimate also medium term effects.

29 Patients (Cobb angle 37 degrees ; age 41 years) have been treated with the physio-logic brace for an average of 7,5 Months (SD 5,6). Before brace prescription the brace action was simulated using the sagittal realignment test. Pain intensity was recorded before brace treatment, within the 1(st) week after brace adjustment and at follow-up using the Roland and Morris VRS. Period of daily wearing time as well as total wearing time / day was left up to the patients.

Pain intensity was high (3,38) before treatment (scale 0-5) and low (1,28) in the brace after adjustment. The differences where highly significant in the Wilcoxon test (z=-4,29; p < 0,0001). After follow-up the pain intensity was moderate to severe (2,69; ns). There was a clear reduction of pain severity, however in most of the cases the compliance has been lost during the follow-up period. Only 7 Patients continued to wear the brace for a considerable time (> 4 hrs.).

The brace action of the sagittal realignment brace leads to promising short-term effects. A better compliance might be achieved by prescribing the total wearing time / day and though a better efficiency of pain reduction in the long-term.