Department of Physical Therapy, Youngsan University, 288, Junam-ro, Yangsan-si, Gyeongnam-do 50510, Korea.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Mar 3;18(5):2463. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18052463.
(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, = 8), exercise group (EX, = 10), and NMES with exercise group (EX + NMES, = 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 ( < 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.
（1）背景：神经肌肉电刺激（NMES）联合低强度运动应用于老年人，在延缓肌肉质量丧失方面比单纯低强度运动更有效。我们旨在评估 NMES 联合低强度下肢强化运动预防虚弱老年人跌倒的效果，时间相对较短，为 4 周。（2）方法：30 名年龄在 65 岁及以上的老年女性被随机分为三组：对照组（CON，n = 8）、运动组（EX，n = 10）和 NMES 联合运动组（EX + NMES，n = 9）。运动组每周进行三次，每次一小时的下肢强化运动，共 4 周。此外，NMES 联合运动组在运动时增加 NMES 刺激。在基线和 4 周后评估四肢肌肉质量、体脂肪质量、小腿围、握力、五次坐立试验、计时起立行走试验（TUG）、单腿站立试验和 Y 平衡试验（YBT）。（3）结果：三组之间的比较显示，NMES 联合运动组的 TUG 显著降低，YBT 显著增加（<0.05）。（4）结论：这些结果表明，在短期内，NMES 刺激联合运动比单纯运动更有助于增强平衡能力。
