Effects of low frequency functional electrical stimulation with 15 and 50 Hz on muscle strength in heart failure patients

Abstract

The IMPT generated by acute 50 Hz application of FES is higher than the one generated by 15 Hz, but it is lower than MVC in controls and patients with heart failure.

Efficacy of lower-limb muscle training modalities in severely dyspnoeic individuals with COPD and quadriceps muscle weakness: results from the DICES trial

“…Indeed, the change in isokinetic quadriceps muscle strength was significantly higher in the HF-NMES group than in the LF-NMES group. Comparable results were found in a study comparing HF-NMES (50 Hz) with LF-NMES (15 Hz) in healthy volunteers and in individuals with chronic heart failure 10. The above-mentioned results might be obtained because the increase in muscle strength is proportional to the stimulation frequency: higher frequencies produce higher torques, which probably result in a greater increase in muscle strength 32.…”

“…To date, the effects of LF-NMES at 15 Hz have not been studied in individuals with COPD. However, it seems reasonable to hypothesise that quadriceps muscle endurance will improve to a greater extent after LF-NMES,8 9 while quadriceps muscle strength will improve to a greater extent after HF-NMES 10…”

Functional electrical stimulation improves muscle strength and endurance in patients after cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial

“…This finding indicates that electrical currents applied at frequencies up to 20 Hz can recruit tonic/slow-twitch muscle fibers with high fatigue resistance. As suggested by Sbruzzi et al, 15 the recruitment of certain types of muscle fibers appears to be related to the frequency of electrical stimulation. With a frequency below 20 Hz, the work is directed predominantly at type I fibers, 8 which feature fatigue resistant muscle contractions being performed at low metabolic cost.…”

Activations of Deep Lumbar Stabilizing Muscles by Transcutaneous Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation of Lumbar Paraspinal Regions

“…Previous studies have reported that low frequency has a lower torque value than high frequency [27,28]. In addition, the skin discomfort experienced at low frequency could have also contributed to the low torque values of NMES [27,28,29]. NMES current application through the skin activates nociceptive receptors and causes discomfort, such as a burning sensation on skin and tetanic feeling [30].…”