Transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation for the treatment of progressive spinal curvature deformities.

Transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation has been used to treat spinal curvature. Electrically induced muscle contractions cause partial straightening of the spinal column while the patients sleep. Long-term treatment of 107 patients with progressive idiopathic scoliosis shows a 93% success rate in preventing further progression for curves below 30 degrees while the rate drops to 73% for curves above 30 degrees. In non-idiopathic scoliosis the outcome varied with aetiology and curve magnitude. All kyphosis patients stopped progression.