ArticleJournal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation2019
Functional electrical stimulation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a randomized controlled pilot study.
Article in Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 23 citations in OpenAlex.
- Aspetar clinical practice guideline on rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.British journal of sports medicine · 2023Guideline
- Trial
- Quadriceps muscle strength recovery with the use of high tone power therapy after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a randomized controlled trial.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2021Trial
- Effect of functional electrical stimulation on maximum joint angles and gait asymmetry in female athletes post-anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction when crossing obstacles.BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation · 2026Article
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation Utilizing Gait Metrics as Outcomes - A Scoping Review.International journal of sports physical therapy · 2026Article
- Short-term effects of percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on pain and muscle function in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament surgery: a randomized clinical trial.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences · 2025Article
- Comparison of Time Needed to Meet Common Rehabilitation Milestones After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction According to Graft Type.Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine · 2024Article
- Efficacy of adding selective electrical muscle stimulation to usual physical therapy for Bell's palsy: immediate and six-month outcomes.European journal of translational myology · 2023Article
- The Immediate Carryover Effects of Peroneal Functional Electrical Stimulation Differ between People with and without Chronic Ankle Instability.Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Article
- Contemporary Principles for Postoperative Rehabilitation and Return to Sport for Athletes Undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.Arthroscopy, sports medicine, and rehabilitation · 2022Article
- Skeletal Muscle Disuse Atrophy and the Rehabilitative Role of Protein in Recovery from Musculoskeletal Injury.Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) · 2020Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundInadequate quadriceps strength following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) often results in alterations in gait pattern that are usually reported during loading response. Neuro-muscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is frequently used to overcome this quadriceps weakness. Despite the beneficial effects of NMES, persistent deficits in strength and gait are reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of applying quadriceps functional electrical stimulation (FES) during walking in addition to standard rehabilitation, in the initial stage of ACLR rehabilitation.
methodsSubjects were randomized to quadriceps FES synchronized with walking group (n = 10) or quadriceps NMES (duty cycle of 10 s on/10 s off) group (n = 13). Both interventions were performed for 10 min three days a week, in addition to a standard rehabilitation program. Assessments were performed up to 2 weeks before the ACLR (pre-ACLR), and 4 weeks postoperatively. Outcomes measured were gait speed, single limb stance gait symmetry, quadriceps isometric peak strength ratio (peak strength at 4 weeks/peak strength pre-ACLR) and peak strength inter-limb symmetry. Gait outcomes were also assessed 1-week post-surgery.
resultsSubjects in both groups regained pre-ACLR gait speed and symmetry after 4 weeks of rehabilitation, with no difference between groups. However, although pre-ACLR quadriceps peak strength was similar between groups (FES - 205 Nm, NMES - 225 Nm, p = 0.605), subjects in the FES group regained 82% of their pre-quadriceps strength compared to 47% in the NMES group (p = 0.02). In addition, after 4 weeks, the FES group had significantly better inter-limb strength symmetry 0.63 ± 0.15 vs. 0.39 ± 0.18 in the NMES group (p = 0.01).
conclusionsQuadriceps FES combined with traditional rehabilitation is a feasible, early intervention treatment option, post-ACLR. Furthermore, at 4 weeks post-surgery, FES was more effective in recovering quadriceps muscle strength than was NMES. While spatiotemporal gait parameters did not differ between groups, kinetic and kinematic studies may be useful to further understand the effects of quadriceps FES post-ACLR. The promising results of this preliminary investigation suggest that such studies are warranted.
trial registrationISRCTN 02817399 . First posted June 29, 2016.
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