title: A modified neuromuscular electrical stimulation protocol for quadriceps strength training following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
abstract: METHODS
  Randomized clinical trial, single-masked.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effectiveness of using a modified neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) training program as an adjunct treatment for improving quadriceps strength and physical function in rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NMES training for quadriceps strengthening has previously been shown to be an effective adjunct treatment following ACLR when performed against isometric resistance using a dynamometer with the knee positioned in flexion. We developed a modified version of published NMES protocol because some patients have difficulty tolerating the existing protocol and many clinics may not have instrumented dynamometers. There is a need to determine the effectiveness of this modified protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-three subjects who had undergone ACLR were randomly assigned to either a group that received (NMES group) or did not receive (comparison group) the NMES treatment in conjunction with their rehabilitation. Group means for quadriceps strength and self-reported measures of knee function were compared after 12 and 16 weeks of rehabilitation. The proportion of subjects in each group achieving clinical criteria to initiate ambulation without crutches, treadmill running, and agility training at selected times during rehabilitation were also compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The NMES group demonstrated moderately greater quadriceps strength at 12 weeks (effect size, 0.48), and moderately higher levels of self-reported knee function at both 12 (effect size, 0.72) and 16 (effect size, 0.65) weeks of rehabilitation compared to the comparison group. A greater proportion of subjects in the NMES group achieved clinical criteria for advancing to agility training at 16 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The modified NMES quadriceps training protocol can be a useful adjunct to ACLR rehabilitation programs, but the treatment effect is smaller than what has been reported in previous studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. kfitzger@pitt.edu
authors.forename: G Kelley
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: Sara R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Piva
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Irrgang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014891:Weight Lifting