IMPACT OF NEUROMUSCULAR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION (NMES) COMBINED WITH THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE ON POSTOPERATIVE ACL REHABILITATION
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Keywords
Anterior cruciate ligament repair, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation, therapeutic exercises, Quadriceps
Abstract
Background: Anterior cruciate ligament ACL injuries among athletes and other physically active people usually develop into surgeries, which are followed by intensive post-operative rehabilitation. This is aimed at successful recovery of muscular strength and functional stability. NMES has appeared to be a promising adjuvant modality that might enhance neuromuscular activation and accelerate the recovery process. The main objective of the study is to assess the impact of NMES coupled with a structured therapeutic exercise program on muscle strength, functional outcomes, and overall recovery in patients undergoing postoperative ACL rehabilitation.
Methods: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) involved 16 patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction surgery. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, receiving NMES combined with therapeutic exercises, or the control group, receiving therapeutic exercises alone. The intervention lasted 10 weeks, with assessments conducted at baseline and at 10 week. Primary outcomes included quadriceps muscle strength, measured using an isokinetic dynamometer, and knee function, evaluated through Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale.
Results: the results showed significant improvement in strength of quadriceps and knee function in group receiving NMES and therapeutic exercises as compared to therapeutic alone group with a mean difference of a mean difference of 8.75 (p=0.04) and 5.50 (p=0.047) for quadriceps strength and knee function respectively.
Conclusion: NMES is considered to substantially enhance the recovery of muscle strength and function during post-ACL reconstruction rehabilitation programs compared to therapeutic exercises alone. Such results suggest that NMES could be a valuable addition to traditional rehabilitation protocols, possibly even further improving the treatment outcomes for patients undergoing ACL reconstruction surgery.
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Abdul Moiz Khan
Consultant Physical therapist at Physio Max and Physio First Rehabilitation center.
Dr. Sidra Tariq
Consultant Physiotherapist at Dar ul Shifa Medical Center
Muhammad Kamran
Incharge Department of Physical Therapy, Health Services Academy, Islamabad
Ayesha Sadiq
Senior Lecturer, Riphah International University
Hadiqa Adnan
Assistant Professor, Islamabad Medical and Dental College
Zainab Noor Qazi
Lecturer, Yusra Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences
Muslim Khan
Assistant Professor, Iqra National University, Swat, Pakistan, Orcid.org/0000-0002-9916-9337