title: Efficacy of electromyographic biofeedback and electrical stimulation following arthroscopic partial meniscectomy: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effectiveness of electromyographic biofeedback training and electrical stimulation therapy for rehabilitation following arthroscopic partial meniscectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, prospective, controlled single-blind trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of physical medicine and rehabilitation, university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five patients who had undergone surgery for arthroscopic partial meniscectomy were randomly divided into three groups with 15 patients in each group.
  
  
  METHODS
  The control group had home exercise, the second and third groups received electromyographic biofeedback training or electrical stimulation therapy to quadriceps muscle in addition to home exercise.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients were evaluated for: visual analogue scale, gait velocity (m/s), time using a walking aid after surgery, Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale score, knee flexion-extension angle, maximum and average contraction powers of vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis muscles on the day before the operation and two and six weeks after.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The time using a walking aid was 8.3 ± 8.0, 1.5 ± 2.5 and 4.5 ± 5.5 days, respectively, for the home exercise, electromyographic biofeedback training and electrical stimulation groups, and significantly shorter in the electromyographic biofeedback training than in the home exercise group (P < 0.017). While significant progress was detected in Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale score in the second and sixth postoperative weeks compared to the preoperative within-group evaluation for each of the three groups (P < 0.017), there was significant difference in Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale in the second postoperative week in favour of electromyographic biofeedback training compared to home exercise (P < 0.017). There were significant differences in vastus medialis obliquus average and vastus lateralis maximum and average contractions in favour of electromyographic biofeedback compared to home exercise and electrical stimulation in the second postoperative week (P < 0.017).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The addition of electromyographic biofeedback training to a conventional exercise programme following arthroscopic partial meniscectomy helps to speed up the rehabilitation process.
authors.affiliation: University of Pamukkale, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nuray
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akkaya
authors.forename: Fusun
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ardic
authors.forename: Merih
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozgen
authors.forename: Semih
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akkaya
authors.forename: Fusun
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sahin
authors.forename: Alper
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kilic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome