Louise C Burgess1, Paul Taylor2,3,4, Thomas W Wainwright1,5, Ian D Swain1. 1. Orthopaedic Research Institute, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK. 2. Department Clinical Science and Engineering, Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury, UK. 3. Odstock Medical Limited, Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury, UK. 4. Faculty of Health and Social Science, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK. 5. Physiotherapy Department, The Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Bournemouth, UK.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) could provide an alternative or adjunct treatment modality to induce muscle hypertrophy in the hip osteoarthritis population. This preliminary study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of NMES to evoke involuntary muscle contractions in adults with advanced hip osteoarthritis. METHODS: Thirteen adults with moderate-to-severe hip osteoarthritis and fifteen healthy, older adults were invited to a lab-based testing session. NMES was applied unilaterally to the knee extensors and hip abductors for one continuous, five-minute testing session. Data were collected on device acceptability, tolerability and muscle contractile force, and compared between groups. RESULTS: Electrical stimulation of the knee extensors elicited a visible muscular contraction in 11 participants (85%) with hip osteoarthritis and 15 controls (100%) at an intensity acceptable to the participant. Electrical stimulation of the hip abductors elicited a muscular contraction in eight participants (62%) with osteoarthritis, and ten controls (67%). Muscle contractile force, pain, discomfort and acceptability did not differ between groups, however NMES of the knee extensors was favoured across all measures of assessment when compared to the hip abductors. CONCLUSIONS: Electrical stimulation of the knee extensors may be a feasible and acceptable treatment modality to address muscle atrophy in adults with advanced hip osteoarthritis.
INTRODUCTION: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) could provide an alternative or adjunct treatment modality to induce muscle hypertrophy in the hip osteoarthritis population. This preliminary study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of NMES to evoke involuntary muscle contractions in adults with advanced hip osteoarthritis. METHODS: Thirteen adults with moderate-to-severe hip osteoarthritis and fifteen healthy, older adults were invited to a lab-based testing session. NMES was applied unilaterally to the knee extensors and hip abductors for one continuous, five-minute testing session. Data were collected on device acceptability, tolerability and muscle contractile force, and compared between groups. RESULTS: Electrical stimulation of the knee extensors elicited a visible muscular contraction in 11 participants (85%) with hip osteoarthritis and 15 controls (100%) at an intensity acceptable to the participant. Electrical stimulation of the hip abductors elicited a muscular contraction in eight participants (62%) with osteoarthritis, and ten controls (67%). Muscle contractile force, pain, discomfort and acceptability did not differ between groups, however NMES of the knee extensors was favoured across all measures of assessment when compared to the hip abductors. CONCLUSIONS: Electrical stimulation of the knee extensors may be a feasible and acceptable treatment modality to address muscle atrophy in adults with advanced hip osteoarthritis.
Authors: Amelia Rose Marshall; Marcos de Noronha; Anita Zacharias; Theo Kapakoulakis; Rodney Green Journal: J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil Date: 2016-04-27 Impact factor: 1.398