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Controlled-Release Curcumin for the Treatment of Pain Related to Adult Degenerative Scoliosis: A Retrospective, Open-Label, Case-Controlled Series

Morningstar MW*, Megan Strauchman and Gretchen Fleischmann

Background: Patients with adult degenerative scoliosis often experience chronic recurrent back and/or hip pain. This is a very common reason that this patient population seeks treatment. Few treatments are typically offered to adult patients with scoliosis. Of these, the more common are pharmacologic pain management, and epidural injections in more severe cases. The goal of this study was to compare two groups of patients who participated in a scoliosisspecific rehabilitation program. One group additionally took a proprietary curcumin supplement concurrent with therapy. We compared the results of the two groups.

Methods: The results of four consecutive patients with the same diagnosis who took a controlled-release curcumin following a trial of exercise-based scoliosis treatment were collected retrospectively. Outcome assessments included the Cobb angle of the primary curvature, quadruple numerical pain rating scale, and goniometric ranges of motion. Their results were compared against four patients who decided not to take the curcumin formula during their exercise based treatment.

Results: Patients taking the curcumin supplement reported larger average improvements in quadruple numerical pain rating scale taken at baseline and 6 months. Comparative Cobb angles showed similar clinical improvements in the treatment and control groups at 6 months.

Conclusion: Patients taking curcumin daily for 6 months after completing an exercise-based treatment reported statistically significant pain scale improvements compared to baseline and controls. Multiple metabolic and neurologic pathways may account for the observed improvement.