The Effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation During Walking on Muscle Strength and Knee Pain in Obese Women With Knee Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of a hybrid training system with walking that simultaneously applies electrical stimulation to the knee extensors/flexors during walking in obese women with knee pain.

DESIGN

This is a randomized, single-blind (assessor), controlled trial. Twenty-eight obese women with knee pain were randomized to 12 weeks of biweekly walking with either hybrid training system with walking or with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (control). Primary outcomes (maximum isokinetic knee extensor torque and maximum isokinetic knee flexor torque) and secondary outcomes (20-m walk time, chair-stand time, stair-climb time, knee pain, and knee-related quality life) were evaluated. Change-point regression analyses were used to model the interaction for the primary outcomes. Two-sample t tests were used on pre-post change scores in secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Knee extensor torque increased significantly more in the hybrid training system with walking group than the control group when baseline knee extensor torque was greater than 57.2 Nm (P = 0.0033). When baseline knee flexor torque was at 30 or 50 Nm, there was a trend toward greater increase in the hybrid training system with walking group than the control group (P = 0.0566, P = 0.0737, respectively). There were no significant differences between groups in secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that hybrid training system with walking is effective for improving knee extensor torque in obese women with knee pain. However, the superiority of hybrid training system with walking may vary depending on baseline knee muscle strength.