The Comparative Results of Psychologic Testing in Scoliosis Patients Treated With Electrical Stimulation or Bracing

Proponents of the surface stimulation treatment of Idiopathic scoliosis have reported approximately 75–85% success rates in arresting progressive curvatures. Although encouraging, these results do not appear to be better than those of the more traditional brace programs. Now recognizing electrical stimulation as a viable alternative to bracing, supporters have advocated the psychologic and physical freedom with electrical stimulation as a major advantage over brace treatment. However, to date, there have been no objective psychologic studies to substantiate these claims. This prospective study was devised to detect any significant differences between a group of patients treated in a TLSO or Milwaukee brace and a group of patients treated with lateral electrical surface stimulation (LESS) (ScoliTron). The study consisted of 40 female private patients with idiopathic scoliosis treated for a minimum of 3 months. Each patient was given a set of seven standardized psychologic tests and an observer rating by the treating physician or physical therapist working with the patient. Results of the Psychological Epidemiology Research Interview (PERI) revealed that the LESS group had significantly higher self esteem than the brace group. The brace patients demonstrated a much greater perception of directed hostility than the LESS group. The coping response inventory showed the brace group to manifest a more primitive coping mechanism than the LESS group. The brace group attempted to avoid problems associated with their disease, rather than cope with them as the LESS group was better able to do. The brace group focused more on their emotions than the realistic problems of their disease. The Profile of Mood States revealed that the LESS group was much more physically active, vigorous, and outgoing compared with the more withdrawn and less active brace group. Results of the observer ratings showed the LESS group to be much less anxious, depressed, and more cooperative in their treatment program than the brace group. The brace group expressed a greater feeling of helplessness and discomfort with respect to their treatment program. The overall results of the study have shown that treatment in a LESS program has significant psychologic benefits over treatment in a brace program. The LESS patients were more active, outgoing, able to cope on a more advanced mature level, and had a lower level of personal and interpersonal disturbances.