Home-Based Nonoperative-Side Quadriceps Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Prevents Muscle Weakness Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
We compared the effectiveness of a home-based neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) program applied to the quadriceps of the nonoperative side against sham-NMES as a complement to standard rehabilitation on knee extensor neuromuscular function in patients following anterior cruciate ligament (...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/11/2/466 |
| _version_ | 1797492992882245632 |
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| author | Vanessa Wellauer Julia F. Item Mario Bizzini Nicola A. Maffiuletti |
| author_facet | Vanessa Wellauer Julia F. Item Mario Bizzini Nicola A. Maffiuletti |
| author_sort | Vanessa Wellauer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We compared the effectiveness of a home-based neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) program applied to the quadriceps of the nonoperative side against sham-NMES as a complement to standard rehabilitation on knee extensor neuromuscular function in patients following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Twenty-four patients completed the 6 week NMES (<i>n</i> = 12) and sham-NMES (<i>n</i> = 12) post-operative interventions and were tested at different time points for neuromuscular function and self-reported knee function. Isometric, concentric, and eccentric strength deficits (muscle weakness) increased significantly from pre-surgery to 24 weeks post-surgery in the sham-NMES group (<i>p</i> < 0.05), while no significant changes were observed in the NMES group. On the stimulated (nonoperative) side, quadriceps voluntary activation and muscle thickness were respectively maintained (<i>p</i> > 0.05) and increased (<i>p</i> < 0.001) as a result of the NMES intervention, contrary to sham-NMES. Self-reported knee function improved progressively during the post-operative phase (<i>p</i> < 0.05), with no difference between the two groups. Compared to a sham-NMES intervention, a 6 week home-based NMES program applied to the quadriceps of the nonoperative side early after ACL reconstruction prevented the occurrence of knee extensor muscle weakness 6 months after surgery. We conclude that nonoperative-side NMES may help counteract muscle weakness after ACL reconstruction. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T01:13:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dd42ab9a2a2a40449b3861f3aa072e49 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0383 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T01:13:37Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-dd42ab9a2a2a40449b3861f3aa072e492023-11-23T14:14:31ZengMDPI AGJournal of Clinical Medicine2077-03832022-01-0111246610.3390/jcm11020466Home-Based Nonoperative-Side Quadriceps Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Prevents Muscle Weakness Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament ReconstructionVanessa Wellauer0Julia F. Item1Mario Bizzini2Nicola A. Maffiuletti3Human Performance Lab., Schulthess Clinic, 8008 Zurich, SwitzerlandHuman Performance Lab., Schulthess Clinic, 8008 Zurich, SwitzerlandHuman Performance Lab., Schulthess Clinic, 8008 Zurich, SwitzerlandHuman Performance Lab., Schulthess Clinic, 8008 Zurich, SwitzerlandWe compared the effectiveness of a home-based neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) program applied to the quadriceps of the nonoperative side against sham-NMES as a complement to standard rehabilitation on knee extensor neuromuscular function in patients following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Twenty-four patients completed the 6 week NMES (<i>n</i> = 12) and sham-NMES (<i>n</i> = 12) post-operative interventions and were tested at different time points for neuromuscular function and self-reported knee function. Isometric, concentric, and eccentric strength deficits (muscle weakness) increased significantly from pre-surgery to 24 weeks post-surgery in the sham-NMES group (<i>p</i> < 0.05), while no significant changes were observed in the NMES group. On the stimulated (nonoperative) side, quadriceps voluntary activation and muscle thickness were respectively maintained (<i>p</i> > 0.05) and increased (<i>p</i> < 0.001) as a result of the NMES intervention, contrary to sham-NMES. Self-reported knee function improved progressively during the post-operative phase (<i>p</i> < 0.05), with no difference between the two groups. Compared to a sham-NMES intervention, a 6 week home-based NMES program applied to the quadriceps of the nonoperative side early after ACL reconstruction prevented the occurrence of knee extensor muscle weakness 6 months after surgery. We conclude that nonoperative-side NMES may help counteract muscle weakness after ACL reconstruction.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/11/2/466knee surgeryanterior cruciate ligamentquadriceps musclestrengthactivation |
| spellingShingle | Vanessa Wellauer Julia F. Item Mario Bizzini Nicola A. Maffiuletti Home-Based Nonoperative-Side Quadriceps Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Prevents Muscle Weakness Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Journal of Clinical Medicine knee surgery anterior cruciate ligament quadriceps muscle strength activation |
| title | Home-Based Nonoperative-Side Quadriceps Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Prevents Muscle Weakness Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction |
| title_full | Home-Based Nonoperative-Side Quadriceps Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Prevents Muscle Weakness Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction |
| title_fullStr | Home-Based Nonoperative-Side Quadriceps Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Prevents Muscle Weakness Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction |
| title_full_unstemmed | Home-Based Nonoperative-Side Quadriceps Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Prevents Muscle Weakness Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction |
| title_short | Home-Based Nonoperative-Side Quadriceps Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Prevents Muscle Weakness Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction |
| title_sort | home based nonoperative side quadriceps neuromuscular electrical stimulation prevents muscle weakness following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction |
| topic | knee surgery anterior cruciate ligament quadriceps muscle strength activation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/11/2/466 |
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