title: Effectiveness of electrical stimulation on rehabilitation after ligament and meniscal injuries: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Electrical stimulation (ES) is widely used to strengthen muscles following ligament and meniscal injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ES for rehabilitation after soft tissue injuries of the knee treated surgically or conservatively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review at the Brazilian Cochrane Center.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2010, Issue 12), Medline (Medical Analysis and Retrieval System Online) via PubMed (1966 to December 2010), Embase (Excerpta Medica database, 1980 to December 2010), Lilacs (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, 1982 to December 2010), and PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database, 1929 to December 2010). The studies included were randomized controlled trials using ES to increase muscle strength for rehabilitation of patients with soft tissue injuries of the knee. Two authors independently evaluated studies for inclusion and performed data extraction and methodological quality assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen studies evaluating ES after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and two studies evaluating ES after meniscectomy were included. There was a statistically significant improvement in quadriceps strength through ES (mean difference, MD: -32.7; 95% confidence interval, CI: -39.92 to -25.48; n = 56) and in functional outcomes (MD -7; -12.78 to -1.22; n = 43) six to eight weeks after surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is evidence that ES coupled with conventional rehabilitation exercises may be effective in improving muscle strength and function two months after surgery.
authors.affiliation: Brazilian Cochrane Centre, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aline Mizusaki
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Imoto
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peccin
authors.forename: Gustavo Jerônimo Melo
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Humberto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saconato
authors.forename: Álvaro Nagib
authors.initials: ÁN
authors.lastname: Atallah
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D017888:Medial Collateral Ligament, Knee / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D016119:Posterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000502:physiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D055815:Young Adult