Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Combined with Exercises versus an Exercise Program on the Physical Characteristics and Functions of the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

(1) Background—The application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with low-intensity exercise to the elderly can be more efficient than low-intensity exercise only in terms of delaying the loss of muscle mass. We aimed to assess the adjunct of NMES to low-intensity lower limb strengthening exercise to prevent falls in frail elderly for a relatively short period of 4 weeks. (2) Methods—Thirty elderly women aged 65 or above were randomly categorized into three groups: control group (CON, n = 8), exercise group (EX, n = 10), and NMES with exercise group (EX + NMES, n = 9). The exercise group took part in a lower limb strengthening exercise program for one hour three times a week for four weeks. Furthermore, the NMES with exercise group had added NMES stimulation when exercising. The limbs’ muscle mass, body fat mass, calf circumference, grip force, five times sit-to-stand test, timed up-and-go test (TUG), one-leg stand test, and Y-balance test (YBT) were evaluated at baseline and 4 weeks after. (3) Results—Comparisons between the three groups showed that the TUG was significantly decreased and the YB was significantly increased in NMES with exercise group (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions—These results suggested that a combination of NMES stimulation and exercises was more helpful in strengthening balance than exercises alone in the short term.

The effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the human skeletal muscle transcriptome

“…Intriguingly, the combination of NMES on one leg and EX on the other leg resulted in a higher gene activation on each of the legs as compared to the groups that had unilateral intervention, suggesting synergetic effects. Previous studies have shown that NMES and EX at the same time, in the same leg with the same muscle, results in a greater muscle strengthening effect than EX alone 7,10,26,69,70 . Interestingly, this study demonstrated that the NMES and EX can potentiate each other even when performed in opposite extremities.…”

“…Previous studies have that NMES and EX at the same time, in the same leg with the same muscle, results in a greater muscle strengthening effect than EX alone. 7,10,26,69,70 Interestingly, this study demonstrated that the NMES and EX can potentiate each other even when performed in opposite extremities. These observations suggest involvement of either systemic hormonal mechanisms and/or effects mediated through the central nervous system, for example, recruitment and activation of additional motor units.…”

Effects of 12 weeks of neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the quadriceps muscles on the function and physio-biochemical traits in functionally fit female nursing-home residents aged 75 + years: a pilot study

“…Nevertheless, hypothesis 2 is only partially confirmed, because the group’s performance on the iTUG did not change statistically significantly over the intervention period. In the study by Jang and Park ( 2021 ), the TUG performance of the group that only did strengthening exercises did not significantly improve after 4 weeks of intervention, but the group that additionally received NMES needed significantly less time to complete the test. These results are different from ours, probably because the NMES protocol and CTP program used by Jang and Park ( 2021 ) were different from those we used and because their intervention ended after 4 weeks.…”

Combined Use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Short Foot Exercise Improves Navicular Height, Muscle Size, Function Mobility, and Risk of Falls in Healthy Older Adults

“…The test was repeated thrice with a 1-min rest between the tests, and the average time was used for further analysis. Excellent test-retest reliability was represented in older adults (ICC = 0.99) [ 33 ].…”