Effects of electrical stimulation on muscle trophism in patients with hemophilic arthropathy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine changes occurring in the cross-sectional area, electromyography (EMG) activity, and the strength of the biceps brachii after an 8-week period of bilateral training with surface muscle electrical stimulation in patients with hemophilic arthropathy.


METHODS
Controlled trial.


METHODS
Coagulopathy unit, university hospital.


METHODS
Volunteer subjects (N=30) participated in this study: 15 with severe hemophilia A (hemophilic group) and 15 nonhemophilic control subjects (control group).


METHODS
The hemophilic group followed a surface electrical stimulation program (frequency 45 Hz, impulse 200 micros, 10s on/10s off) over an 8-week period on the biceps brachii of both arms. The control group did no training of any kind.


METHODS
The cross-sectional area, maximum voluntary isometric contraction, and EMG activity of the biceps brachii in both arms were determined before and after the 8-week-long task.


RESULTS
The results of the hemophilic group showed significant increases in the diameter (15.8%, P<.001), isometric force (4.6%, P<.05), and EMG activity (37.6%, P<.05) of the biceps brachii muscles in both arms. No significant changes were observed for the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings confirm the efficacy of muscle electrical stimulation in causing muscles to hypertrophy in patients with hemophilia, thereby improving their muscular strength. In addition, these results may also be clinically applicable in the rehabilitation of patients who have similar deficiencies in the locomotor system.
Gomis
Manuel
M
Area of Physical Education and Sports, Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain.
González
Luis-Millán
LM
Querol
Felipe
F
Gallach
José E
JE
Toca-Herrera
Jose-Luis
JL
D000328:Adult; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome