Evidence map›Paper›PMID 29781580›Full record

Trial reportArthritis care & research2019

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Compared to Volitional Exercise for Improving Muscle Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Pilot Study.

Sara R Piva, Samannaaz S Khoja, Frederico G S Toledo, Mary Chester-Wasko, G Kelley Fitzgerald, Bret H Goodpaster, Clair N Smith, Anthony Delitto

Abstract readComparative StudyRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Arthritis care & research, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
1.1field-weighted citation impact, top 24% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 17 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
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  5. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Sara R PivaUniversity of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.ORCID 0000-0002-1716-3151
Samannaaz S KhojaUniversity of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Frederico G S ToledoUniversity of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Mary Chester-WaskoAllegheny Health Network-Lupus Center of Excellence, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
G Kelley FitzgeraldUniversity of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Bret H GoodpasterTranslational Research Institute for Metabolism and Diabetes, Orlando, Florida.
Clair N SmithUniversity of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Anthony DelittoUniversity of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
University of Pittsburgh · USAllegheny Health Network · USTranslational Research Institute for Metabolism and Diabetes · US

Funding

University of Pittsburgh Clinical and Translational Science InstitutionKL2RR024154 · NCRR · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · PI REIS, STEVEN E · 2006 to 2011
$22.2M
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Individuals with Rheumatoid ArthritisK01HD058035 · NICHD · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · PI PIVA, SARA R. · 2009 to 2013
$642k
American College of Rheumatology Research Education Foundation New Investigator AwardNCRR NIH HHS K12 RR024154NCRR NIH HHS KL2 RR024154NICHD NIH HHS K01 HD058035
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThe aim of this study was to compare the feasibility and effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) with that of high-intensity volitional resistance training for improving muscle structure and function and physical function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We also compared pre-intervention and post-intervention values of myocyte characteristics.

methodsIn this 2-group, single-blind, randomized pilot study, adult patients with RA were assigned to 36 sessions of NMES (n = 31 patients) or volitional training (n = 28 patients) over 16 weeks. Outcome measures included muscle structure and function (quadriceps muscle area, density, and strength), physical function (performance-based and patient-reported), feasibility (increased pain, increased disease activity, attrition, and adherence), and myocyte characteristics (area, proportion of type I or II muscle fibers, and intramyocellular lipid content). Analysis of covariance was used to compare groups.

resultsThe intervention intensity in the NMES group was less than half that in the volitional exercise group (31% versus 77% of maximum effort). Both groups experienced significant improvements in muscle structure and function (P < 0.001 to 0.019). Improvements in muscle characteristics and physical function were not different between groups. Exercise did not result in serious adverse events or increases in pain and disease activity. Attrition was 29% in the NMES group and 7% in the volitional exercise group.

conclusionBoth NMES and high-intensity volitional resistance training can be used as effective approaches to improving muscle structure and function in patients with RA. NMES may be a viable alternative for improving muscle function in patients in whom high-intensity resistance exercise may not be tolerated or is contraindicated, but attrition must be considered when using this approach.

Indexed as

AgedArthritis, RheumatoidElectric Stimulation TherapyExerciseFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedMuscle StrengthPilot ProjectsQuadriceps MuscleResistance TrainingSingle-Blind Method

Identifiers

PMID29781580
PMCPMC6249117
OpenAlexW2804415626

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.