[Experiences with lateral electric surface stimulation in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis].

Lateral electrical surface stimulation (LESS) was used for treatment of idiopathic scoliosis in 20 children and adolescents (mean age 10.9 years, mean Cobb angle 26 drs.). Six patients were treated until skeletal maturity showing a mean curve progression of 8 degrees at follow-up. In 14 patients treatment failed due to skin irritation, sleeping disturbances or progression. Five patients had to be operated on. Twenty patients of a control group treated with Boston brace (mean age 11.9 years, mean Cobb angle 34 drs.) showed mean curve improvement of 2 degrees at follow-up. Only one patient of the control group had to be operated on. Brace treatment was superior to stimulation in this small patient group presented.