Neuromuscular electrical stimulation in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.


METHODS
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled and controlled clinical trials


METHODS
Studies were identified from databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Sports Discus, PEDro and the Cochrane Library) searched to January 2011 using a battery of keywords. Two reviewers selected studies meeting inclusion criteria. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Thomas Test and the strength of the evidence was then graded using the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research guidelines. Data were pooled and meta-analyses were performed.


RESULTS
Nine randomized controlled trials and one controlled clinical trial, studying a total of 409 participants (n = 395 for randomized controlled trials, and n = 14 for controlled trial) with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis were included. Inconsistent evidence (level D) was found that neuromuscular electrical stimulation has a significant impact on measures of pain, function and quadriceps femoris muscle strength in knee osteoarthritis.


CONCLUSIONS
The role of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis is ambiguous. Therefore, future work is needed in this field to clearly establish the role of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in this population.
School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, University College Dublin, Ireland. oonagh.giggins@ucd.ie
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O
Giggins
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B
Fullen
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Coughlan
D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000502:physiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States