Neuromuscular stimulation of the quadriceps muscle after hip fracture: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To study the feasibility and effect of neuromuscular stimulation on recovery of mobility after surgical fixation for hip fracture.


METHODS
Double-blind study with stratified randomization.


METHODS
Home-based rehabilitation program.


METHODS
Twenty-four women over the age of 75 years with hip fracture.


METHODS
Neuromuscular or placebo stimulation of the quadriceps muscle of the fractured leg, applied for 3 hours a day, for 6 weeks, commencing 1 week after surgery.


METHODS
Recovery of walking speed and ability, postural stability, lower-limb muscle power, and pain at 7 and 13 weeks after surgery.


RESULTS
Women in the neuromuscular stimulation group showed faster recovery of mobility. Of the women receiving stimulation, 9 of 12 recovered their prior levels of indoor mobility ability by 13 weeks compared with 3 of 12 in the placebo group (Fisher exact test, P=.046). There were no differences in recovery of walking speed in the first 7 weeks, but women in the stimulation group had greater recovery between 7 and 13 weeks (mean difference=-.13m/s; 95% confidence interval, -.23 to -.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Neuromuscular stimulation at home is feasible and may be effective in speeding recovery of mobility after surgical fixation of hip fracture.
Lamb
Sarah E
SE
Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Health, Coventry University, UK. s.lamb@coventry.ac.uk
Oldham
Jacqueline A
JA
Morse
Rhian E
RE
Evans
John Grimley
JG
D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*