Correction of Spinal Curvatures by Transcutaneous Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Experimental scoliosis in the course of unilateral surface electrostimulation of the paravertebral muscles in rabbits: effects according to stimulation period

“…The spinal deformity located at the opposite side to the stimulated side observed in the experiment is similar to the effects reported by other authors [3,4,8,9,20]. Such deformation was found in monkeys by Bigard et al [4], in rats by Joe [9], in rabbits by Sevastik et al [20] and Herbert and Bobechko [8] (with a similar number of animals as in our experiment) and in cats by Axelgaard et al [2].…”

“…In these cases, the resulting deformations were located in the breast segment. The maximum Cobb angle of spinal deformity in the group receiving stimulation for 9 h/day described by Axelgaard et al [3] was 56°, whereas in the experiment of similar duration conducted by Joe [9], it was up to 28°. The maximum spinal deformity in our experiment was 41°, and the daily stimulation shortened to 2 h. Detailed analysis of the muscular fibres of the paravertebral muscles and their metabolism by Bigard et al [4] and Joe [9] indicates the temporary disorders caused by LESS.…”

“…Positive results in 72-75% of patients were achieved by Anciaux, Bobechko and Herbert [1,5], while Kahanowitz in an another study [11] observed such success in 80-85% of patients. The best results of applying LESS were observed by Axelgaard: 93-97% [2,3].…”

“…An overall duration of this experiment (3 months) was designed based on the results of similar studies in cats [3], rats [9], primates [4], rabbits [12] and chicken [16,17]. The length of the daily LESS therapy in the present study was based on the results of previous clinical trials in children.…”

“…The increased muscle tension occurs due to repeatedly firing a reflex arch in which stimulatory/inhibitory impulses from the supramedullary nervous centres to the motor units in the stimulated muscles are further enhanced/suppressed. These continuing changes in the tension of the paravertebral muscles may decrease, or completely eliminate, the spinal deformity [2,3,7,10,16,23]. Overnight stimulation regimens, applied for varying durations (1-4 months), have been used [1,2,6,10,18].…”