Patients after total knee arthroplasty(TKA) are suffering from muscle weakness, dcreases balance and pain. These patient are exposed to risks such as fall down.
The aim of this study was the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES) on quadriceps muscle strengthening and balance in patients with TKA. The participants were randomly allocated to NMES group (n=15) and active range of motion(AROM) group(n=15). Each groups received common conventional therapy(CPM, Cryotherapy, low frequency current therapy) for 5 session per week 50 minutes during 4 weeks. NMES group was the neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy for 30 minutes per session during 4 weeks. AROM group was practiced active range of motion for 30 minutes per session during 4 weeks, too.
Each groups comparison on changes of quadriceps strengthening, balance and pain were analyzed in independent t-test. The change of before and after was analyzed through paired t-test.
As a result, both groups showed significant improvement in strength, balance and pain. There was significant improvement by NMES and AROM that outcomes of the quadriceps strength(p <.05). NMES group was improved more than AROM group in quadriceps strength(p <.05). There was significant improvement by NMES and AROM that outcomes of the static balance from COG sway velocity, total distance(p <.05). There was significant improvement by NMES and AROM that outcomes of the dynamic balance from reaction time, movement velocity and functional reach test(p <.05). There was significant improvement by NMES and AROM that outcomes of the pain from VAS(p <.05).
Based on these results, NMES was improved quadriceps strength, balance and pain. In particular, the strengthening of quadriceps muscle strength was significantly. Accordingly, NMES is considered to be essentially carried out in TKA patients.