AIM: The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy of the dynamic SpineCor brace for early idiopathic scoliosis (15 degrees to 30 degrees) compared to the natural evolution of the disease. 68 patients participated in this study (32 treated and 36 controls) with at least 5 years follow-up. METHODS: The inclusion criteria were: (1) high risk of evolution: family history and/or proven progressive; (2) no significant pathological malformation of the spine; (3) initial Cobb angle between 15 degrees and 30 degrees; (4) Risser 0, 1 or 2. Assessment of brace efficacy included the percentage of patients who have 5 degrees or less curve progression and the percentage of patients who have 6 degrees or more progression at skeletal maturity. RESULTS: At five-year follow-up a correction was achieved in 50% of treated patient and only in 9.5% of controls, stabilization in 42.3% treated and 47.7% in controls and progression in 26.9% for the treated group and 42.8% for controls. For the control patients we considered as a failure if the Cobb angle worsened by more then 5 degrees from the original angle and the patient then received treatment. CONCLUSION: The results 5 years after the treatment suggested that the SpineCor brace reduced the probability of the progression of early idiopathic scoliosis comparing with its natural history. Moreover, the positive outcome appears to be maintained in the long term.

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