Lateral electrical surface stimulation for the treatment of progressive idiopathic scoliosis.

Transcutaneous lateral electrical muscle stimulation is demonstrated to be a reasonable alternative to bracing in the treatment of progressive, mild-to-moderate idiopathic scoliosis. Stimulation is applied nightly during sleep, through surface electrodes, on the convex side of the curve, evoking muscle contractions which cause correction of the curvature. Arrest of progression or curve correction in 90 patients treated up to four years (average 15 months) was observed in 84% of 61 patients with single primary curves and 83% of 29 patients with double primary curves. If only the patients who complied totally with the program are considered, the above rates improve to 97% and 93%, respectively. Post-treatment observations of skeletally mature curves for up to two years in 13 patients show no increase in curvature.