Low-Frequency Electric Muscle Stimulation Combined With Physical Therapy After Total Hip Arthroplasty for Hip Osteoarthritis in Elderly Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Gremeaux V, Renault J, Pardon L, Deley G, Lepers R, Casillas J-M. Low-frequency electric muscle stimulation combined with physical therapy after total hip arthroplasty for hip osteoarthritis in elderly patients: a randomized controlled trial.
Objective
To assess the effects of low-frequency electric muscle stimulation associated with usual physiotherapy on functional outcome after total hip arthroplasty (THA) for hip osteoarthritis (OA) in elderly subjects.
Design
Randomized controlled trial; pre- and posttreatment measurements.
Setting
Hospital rehabilitation department.
Participants
Subjects (N=29) referred to the rehabilitation department after THA for hip OA.
Interventions
The intervention group (n=16; 78±8y) received simultaneous low-frequency electric muscle stimulation of bilateral quadriceps and calf muscles (highest tolerated intensity, 1h session, 5 d/wk, for 5 weeks) associated with conventional physical therapy including resistance training. The control group (n=13; 76±10y) received conventional physical therapy alone (25 sessions).
Main Outcome Measures
Maximal isometric strength of knee extensors, FIM instrument, before and after; a six-minute walk test and a 200m fast walk test, after; length of stay (LOS).
Results
Low-frequency electric muscle stimulation was well tolerated. It resulted in a greater improvement in strength of knee extensors on the operated side (77% vs 23%; P<.01), leading to a better balance of muscle strength between the operated and nonoperated limb. The low-frequency electric muscle stimulation group also showed a greater improvement in FIM scores, though improvements in the walk tests were similar for the 2 groups, as was LOS.
Conclusions
Low-frequency electric muscle stimulation is a safe, well-tolerated therapy after THA for hip OA. It improves knee extensor strength, which is one of the factors leading to greater functional independence after THA.
Reprint requests to Vincent Gremeaux, MD, Pôle Rééducation – Réadaptation, INSERM U887, 23 rue Gaffarel, 21079 Dijon Cedex, France
Supported by Dijon University Hospital and the Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Clinique (grant no. DGS 2002/0093).
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit on the authors or on any organization with which the authors are associated.
ABSTRACT