Article

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has demonstrated efficacy
in improving quadriceps muscle strength (force-generating capacity) and
activation following knee replacement and ligamentous reconstruction. Yet, data
are lacking to establish the efficacy of NMES in people with evidence of early
radiographic osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to
determine whether NMES is capable of improving quadriceps muscle strength and
activation in women with mild and moderate knee osteoarthritis. DESIGN: This
study was a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Thirty women with radiographic
evidence of mild or moderate knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to
receive either no treatment (standard of care) or NMES treatments 3 times per
week for 4 weeks. The effects of NMES on quadriceps muscle strength and
activation were evaluated upon study enrollment, as well as at 5 and 16 weeks
after study enrollment, which represent 1 and 12 weeks after cessation of NMES
among the treated participants. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities
Osteoarthritis Index and a 40-foot (12.19-m) walk test were used at each testing
session. RESULTS: Improvements in quadriceps muscle strength or activation were
not realized for the women in the intervention group. Quadriceps muscle strength
and activation were similar across testing sessions for both groups. LIMITATIONS:
Women were enrolled based on radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis, not
symptomatic osteoarthritis, which could have contributed to our null finding. A
type II statistical error may have been committed despite an a priori power
calculation. The assessor and the patients were not blinded to group assignment,
which may have introduced bias into the study. CONCLUSIONS: Four weeks of NMES
delivered to women with mild and moderate osteoarthritis and mild strength
deficits was insufficient to induce gains in quadriceps muscle strength or
activation. Future research is needed to examine the dose-response relationship
for NMES in people with early radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis.

Langue : ANGLAIS