Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for muscle strengthening in elderly with knee osteoarthritis - a systematic review

Purpose: To identify if there is evidence in favor of the use of NMES to quadriceps muscle strengthening in elderly with knee OA.

Data sources and study selection: A search of PubMed/Medline, PEDro and Cochrane Library produced a total of 76 relevant trials. Six studies that met the inclusion criteria were selected for this review.

Data extraction: Trials were addressed by inclusion and exclusion criteria and scoring internal validity using PEDro scale.

Data syntheses: A summary of the sample and design characteristics, and muscle strength results from each study were presented on table.

Conclusion: The best-evidence analysis showed moderate evidence in favor of NMES alone or combined with exercise for isometric quadriceps strengthening in elderly with OA. In addition, for the effects of NMES intervention as an adjunct therapy on isokinetic strength at different angular velocities, there was a limited quality of evidence assessed.