Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether neuromuscular electrical stimulation applied to
the quadriceps femoris muscle will enhance the effectiveness of an exercise
programme in patients with knee osteoarthritis. DESIGN: A randomized trial with
parallel intervention treatment groups. SETTING: Outpatient physical therapy
clinic. SUBJECTS: Fifty participants (mean age (SD) 68.9 (7.7) years) with
symptomatic idiopathic knee osteoarthritis and radiographic evidence (grade >/=
II Kelgren's classification). INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized into
one of two groups receiving 12 biweekly treatments: An exercise-only group or an
exercise combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation group (biphasic
pulses, at 75 Hz and 250 micros phase duration). MAIN MEASURES: Knee pain
intensity; maximal voluntary isometric contraction and voluntary activation of
the quadriceps femoris muscle; measures of functional performance. RESULTS: A
significant interaction effect (P = 0.01) indicated greater improvement in pain
for the electrical stimulation group. The mean (SD) change in pain intensity was
from 7.5 +/- 2 to 5 +/- 2.2 and from 7.4 +/- 1.9 to 3.3 +/- 2.4 in the exercise
and electrical stimulation groups, respectively. A significant treatment effect
was also noted for the voluntary activation of the quadriceps femoris, which
increased by 22.2% in the electrical stimulation group and by 9.6% in the
exercise group (P = 0.045). Significant improvements were observed in both groups
in all remaining measures, with no differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS:
Electrical stimulation treatment to the quadriceps femoris enhanced the
effectiveness of an exercise programme in alleviating pain and improving
voluntary activation in patients with knee osteoarthritis, but did not enhance
its effect on muscle strength or functional performance.

Langue : ANGLAIS