[Psychodynamic aspects of corset treatment in adolescents]

Based on 41 psychoanalytical interviews with 14 adolescent corset patients it was intended to analyse in a pilot study the individual experience, the handling of the corset and the influence of corset therapy on the adolescent development. The indication for proceeding to corset therapy was either due to Scheuermann's disease or scoliotic disease. Contrary to the doctor's instructions all patients examined only wore the corset during certain periods of time according to a time schedule fixed with the parents only, therefore lacking any official authorization. It also happened that the therapy was interrupted without further notice and that patients openly refused wearing the corsets any longer. As for the indication of orthese therapy, the authors recommend to take psychosocial aspects into account and submits concrete proposals as far as the care for the corset patients is conserned.