Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39143586›Full record

Trial reportBMC geriatrics2024

Benefits of home-based foot neuromuscular electrical stimulation on self-reported function, leg pain and other leg symptoms among community-dwelling older adults: a sham-controlled randomised clinical trial.

Binoy Kumaran, Darren Targett, Tim Watson

Registry-linked trialAbstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMC geriatrics, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT07666828 (Evaluation of Lower Limb Haemodynamics Using Three), which is not on this map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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.

NCT07666828 nanot yet recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2026, after this paper: background citation

Evaluation of Lower Limb Haemodynamics Using Three (TRI) Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Foot Pad Programmes: A Crossover (X) Randomised Controlled Study in Healthy (HE) Adults

TypeinterventionalSponsorJoey PorterRan2026 to 2027Enrolled24ConditionsHealthyArmsMedic, P1, PM7
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
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

3 authors.

Binoy KumaranSchool of Health and Social Work, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, UK. b.r.kumaran@herts.ac.uk.
Darren TargettPrimoris Contract Solutions Ltd, Ascot, SL5 0LW, UK.
Tim WatsonSchool of Health and Social Work, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionLower leg pain and symptoms, and poor leg circulation are common in older adults. These can significantly affect their function and quality of life. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) applied via the feet as 'foot NMES' activates the leg musculovenous pump. This study investigated the effects of foot NMES administered at home using Revitive

methodsA randomised placebo-controlled study with three groups (2 NMES, 1 Sham) and three assessments (baseline, week 8, week 12 follow-up) was carried out. Self-reported function using Canadian occupational performance measure (COPM), leg pain, overall leg symptoms score (heaviness, tiredness, aching, or cramps), and ankle blood flow were assessed. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and logistic regression were used to compare the groups. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 (two-sided 5%).

resultsOut of 129 participants enrolled, 114 completed the study. The improvement in all outcomes were statistically significant for the NMES interventions compared to Sham at both week 8 (p < 0.01) and week 12 (p < 0.05). The improvement in COPM met the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the NMES interventions compared to Sham at both week 8 (p < 0.005) and week 12 (p < 0.05). Improvement in leg pain met MCID at week 8 compared to Sham (p < 0.05). Ankle blood flow increased approximately 3-fold during treatment compared to Sham. Compliance with the interventions was high and no device-related adverse events were reported.

conclusionsThe home-based foot NMES is safe, and significantly improved self-reported function, leg pain and overall leg symptoms, and increased ankle blood flow compared to a Sham among older adults.

trial registrationThe trial was prospectively registered in ISRCTN on 17/06/2019 with registration number ISRCTN10576209. It can be accessed at https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN10576209 .

Indexed as

Electric Stimulation TherapyFootIndependent LivingLegSelf ReportAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHome Care ServicesHumansMalePainPain ManagementQuality of LifeTreatment OutcomeBlood flowLeg painLeg symptomsNeuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)Self-reported function

Identifiers

PMID39143586
PMCPMC11323382

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Registered trials

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.