Vinicius Zacarias Maldaner da Silva1, João Luiz Quaglioti Durigan2, Ross Arena3, Marcos de Noronha4, Burke Gurney5, Gerson Cipriano2. 1. a Division of Physical Therapy , Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal , Brasilia , Brazil . 2. b Division of Physical Therapy - Ceilandia College , University of Brasilia , Brasilia , Brazil . 3. c Department of Physical Therapy , College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago , Chicago , IL , USA . 4. d Department of Allied Health , Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University , Bendigo , Australia , and. 5. e Division of Physical Therapy , Department of Orthopaedics and Latin American and Iberian Institute, University of New Mexico , Albuquerque , NM , USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is widely utilized to enhance muscle performance. However, the optimal NMES waveform with respect to treatment effect has not been established. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of kilohertz-frequency alternating current (KFAC) and low-frequency pulsed current (PC) on quadriceps evoked torque and self-reported discomfort. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), SinoMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, and CINAHL were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomized controlled trials (QRCTs). STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers independently selected potential studies according to the inclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Studies were eligible if they compared KFAC versus PC interventions. Studies that included outcome measures for percentage of maximal isometric voluntary contraction (%MIVC) torque and self-reported discomfort level were eligible for evaluation. Seven studies involving 127 individuals were included. The methodological quality of eligible trials was moderate, with a mean of 5 on the 10-point PEDro scale. Overall, PC was no better than KFAC in terms of evoked torque and there was no difference in self-reported discomfort level. CONCLUSION: KFAC and PC have similar effects on quadriceps evoked torque and self-reported discomfort level in healthy individuals. The small number and overall methodological quality of currently available studies included in this meta-analysis indicate that new RCTs are needed to better determine optimal NMES treatment parameters.
BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is widely utilized to enhance muscle performance. However, the optimal NMES waveform with respect to treatment effect has not been established. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of kilohertz-frequency alternating current (KFAC) and low-frequency pulsed current (PC) on quadriceps evoked torque and self-reported discomfort. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), SinoMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, and CINAHL were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomized controlled trials (QRCTs). STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers independently selected potential studies according to the inclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Studies were eligible if they compared KFAC versus PC interventions. Studies that included outcome measures for percentage of maximal isometric voluntary contraction (%MIVC) torque and self-reported discomfort level were eligible for evaluation. Seven studies involving 127 individuals were included. The methodological quality of eligible trials was moderate, with a mean of 5 on the 10-point PEDro scale. Overall, PC was no better than KFAC in terms of evoked torque and there was no difference in self-reported discomfort level. CONCLUSION: KFAC and PC have similar effects on quadriceps evoked torque and self-reported discomfort level in healthy individuals. The small number and overall methodological quality of currently available studies included in this meta-analysis indicate that new RCTs are needed to better determine optimal NMES treatment parameters.
Authors: Claudia Ferreira Gomes da Silva; Felipe Xavier de Lima E Silva; Karoline Baptista Vianna; Gabriel Dos Santos Oliveira; Marco Aurélio Vaz; Bruno Manfredini Baroni Journal: Braz J Phys Ther Date: 2018-03-28 Impact factor: 3.377
Authors: Caitlin E W Conley; Carl G Mattacola; Kate N Jochimsen; Emily V Dressler; Christian Lattermann; Jennifer S Howard Journal: Sports Health Date: 2021-01-11 Impact factor: 3.843