We have located links that may give you full text access.
JOURNAL ARTICLE
RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
RESEARCH SUPPORT, NON-U.S. GOV'T
Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and therapeutic exercise on quadriceps activation in people with tibiofemoral osteoarthritis.
Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy 2011 January
STUDY DESIGN: Blinded, randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVES: To determine if the combination of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) set to a sensory level and therapeutic exercise would be more effective than the combination of placebo TENS and therapeutic exercises or therapeutic exercises only to increase quadriceps activation in individuals with tibiofemoral osteoarthritis.
BACKGROUND: Quadriceps activation deficits are common in those with tibiofemoral osteoarthritis, and TENS has been reported to immediately increase quadriceps activation. Yet the long-term benefits of TENS for motor neuron activation have yet to be determined.
METHODS: Thirty-six individuals with radiographically assessed tibiofemoral osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to the TENS and exercise, placebo and exercise, and exercise only groups. All participants completed a supervised 4-week lower extremity exercise program. TENS and placebo TENS were worn throughout the therapeutic exercise sessions, as well as during daily activities. Our primary outcome measures, quadriceps central activation ratio, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were evaluated at baseline and at 2 weeks and 4 weeks of the intervention.
RESULTS: Quadriceps activation was significantly higher in the TENS with exercise group compared to the exercise only group at 2 weeks (0.94 ± 0.04 versus 0.82 ± 0.12, P<.05) and the placebo and exercise group at 4 weeks (0.94 ± 0.06 versus 0.81 ± 0.15, P<.05). WOMAC scores improved in all 3 groups over time, with no significant differences among groups.
CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that TENS applied in conjunction with therapeutic exercise and daily activities increases quadriceps activation in patients with tibiofemoral osteoarthritis and, while function improved for all participants, effects were greatest in the group treated with a combination of TENS and therapeutic exercises.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, level 1b-.
OBJECTIVES: To determine if the combination of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) set to a sensory level and therapeutic exercise would be more effective than the combination of placebo TENS and therapeutic exercises or therapeutic exercises only to increase quadriceps activation in individuals with tibiofemoral osteoarthritis.
BACKGROUND: Quadriceps activation deficits are common in those with tibiofemoral osteoarthritis, and TENS has been reported to immediately increase quadriceps activation. Yet the long-term benefits of TENS for motor neuron activation have yet to be determined.
METHODS: Thirty-six individuals with radiographically assessed tibiofemoral osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to the TENS and exercise, placebo and exercise, and exercise only groups. All participants completed a supervised 4-week lower extremity exercise program. TENS and placebo TENS were worn throughout the therapeutic exercise sessions, as well as during daily activities. Our primary outcome measures, quadriceps central activation ratio, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were evaluated at baseline and at 2 weeks and 4 weeks of the intervention.
RESULTS: Quadriceps activation was significantly higher in the TENS with exercise group compared to the exercise only group at 2 weeks (0.94 ± 0.04 versus 0.82 ± 0.12, P<.05) and the placebo and exercise group at 4 weeks (0.94 ± 0.06 versus 0.81 ± 0.15, P<.05). WOMAC scores improved in all 3 groups over time, with no significant differences among groups.
CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that TENS applied in conjunction with therapeutic exercise and daily activities increases quadriceps activation in patients with tibiofemoral osteoarthritis and, while function improved for all participants, effects were greatest in the group treated with a combination of TENS and therapeutic exercises.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, level 1b-.
Full text links
Related Resources
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app