TY - JOUR
T1 - Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation after total joint arthroplasty
T2 - A critical review of recent controlled studies
AU - Kittelson, A. J.
AU - Stackhouse, S. K.
AU - Stevens-lapsley, J. E.
PY - 2013/12
Y1 - 2013/12
N2 - Since 2009, four randomized controlled trials have investigated the use of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) as a treatment modality following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Two of these studies demonstrated a treatment effect of NMES for improving physical function, while another study failed to find additional benefit of NMES relative to a progressive exercise intervention. The fourth study demonstrated non-inferiority of NMES compared supervised physical therapy. These studies differed substantially in their methodology, including the timing, duration, treatment volume and intensity of NMES interventions. The purpose of this review is to examine and discuss variations between these recent trials to synthesize the current state of evidence for NMES in postTKA rehabilitation. When comparing intervention parameters across recent studies, it appears that high intensity NMES performed regularly during the immediate postoperative phase helped to attenuate dramatic losses in quadriceps strength following TKA, thereby resulting in overall improvements in strength and function.
AB - Since 2009, four randomized controlled trials have investigated the use of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) as a treatment modality following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Two of these studies demonstrated a treatment effect of NMES for improving physical function, while another study failed to find additional benefit of NMES relative to a progressive exercise intervention. The fourth study demonstrated non-inferiority of NMES compared supervised physical therapy. These studies differed substantially in their methodology, including the timing, duration, treatment volume and intensity of NMES interventions. The purpose of this review is to examine and discuss variations between these recent trials to synthesize the current state of evidence for NMES in postTKA rehabilitation. When comparing intervention parameters across recent studies, it appears that high intensity NMES performed regularly during the immediate postoperative phase helped to attenuate dramatic losses in quadriceps strength following TKA, thereby resulting in overall improvements in strength and function.
KW - Arthroplasty
KW - Electric stimulation
KW - Knee
KW - Quadriceps muscle
KW - Replacement
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84896338034&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Review article
C2 - 24285026
AN - SCOPUS:84896338034
SN - 1973-9087
VL - 49
SP - 909
EP - 920
JO - European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
JF - European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
IS - 6
ER -