| There has been a promising outcome based on a | | | | 12-week period, the isometriccontractions were |
| study usinghome-based neuromuscular electrical | | | | amplified by increments of 30 to 40% of the |
| stimulation (NMES) to enhancequadriceps fitness in | | | | maximum. |
| older people suffering from Osteoarthritis of theknee. | | | | The main outcome was isometric quadriceps femoris |
| Symptoms of this "wear-and-tear" arthritis can be | | | | (QF) torque. |
| alleviated bystrengthening the muscle around the | | | | Secondary outcomes included: |
| affected joint or joints. Exercise isknown to lessen | | | | ->daily step counts |
| the symptoms, severity and impairment resulting | | | | ->total activity vector magnitude |
| fromthis disease. In some cases where sufferers are | | | | ->100-foot walk-turn-walk |
| normally sedentary,exercise may result in muscle | | | | ->timed stair climb |
| damage, particularly in women. | | | | ->chair rise |
| The NMES Study | | | | ->pain level |
| Laura Talbot of The Johns Hopkins University | | | | The results point towards: |
| engineered the study usingneuromuscular electrical | | | | ->An increase of 9.1% in 120 degree QF peak |
| stimulation as another method of treatment for | | | | torque with the use of thestimulated-knee extensor |
| Osteoarthritis of the knee. | | | | contrasting with a 7% loss in the educationonly |
| This process is undertaken by spurring small electrical | | | | group. |
| currents throughthe skin, allowing them to travel to | | | | ->Timed chair rise was cut by 11% in the NMES |
| the nerves and muscles to enableinvoluntary muscle | | | | group, while theeducation only group showed a mere |
| contraction. A total of 34 adults | | | | 7% decrease. |
| diagnosedradiographically (through x-rays) to have | | | | ->Both groups exhibited a 7% faster walk time |
| Osteoarthritis of the kneeparticipated in the study. | | | | ->Pain levels in both groups remained the same |
| The 34 participants were randomly chosen to | | | | despite intervention. |
| undergo a 12-week | | | | Researchers of this study came to the conclusion |
| Arthritis Self-Management Course on standard | | | | that applying thehome-based NMES treatment |
| arthritis education, withor without NMES. The group | | | | method may hold some promise inenhancing |
| subjected to NMES was provided withportable | | | | quadriceps strength among adult sufferers of |
| electrical muscle stimulators to be used 3 days a | | | | Osteoarthritis ofthe knee, without worsening arthritic |
| week to trainand strengthen their quadriceps. Over a | | | | symptoms. |