Institute of Medical Physics, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestrasse 91, 91052, Erlangen, Germany.
Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
Sci Rep. 2024 Sep 6;14(1):20804. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-71552-7.
In a randomized, controlled study, whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) was investigated as a promising alternative treatment technique compared to conventional strength training for the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Seventy-two overweight participants with symptomatic knee OA were randomly assigned to WB-EMS (n = 36) or a usual care group (UCG, n = 36). For seven months, the WB-EMS group received three times per fortnight a WB-EMS training, while the UCG was prescribed six-times physiotherapeutic treatments. We observed significant effects for the primary outcome "pain", as determined by the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), with more favourable changes in the WB-EMS group vs UCG (between-group difference 9.0 points, 95%CI 2.9-15.1, p = 0.004). Secondary outcomes, including the other KOOS subscales (symptoms, function in daily living, function in sports/recreational activities and quality of life), 7 day pain diary, hip/leg extensor strength and lower limb function (30s sit-to-stand test), were also statistically significant in favour of the WB-EMS group. Overall, WB-EMS was found to be effective in relieving knee pain symptoms and improving physical function in individuals with symptomatic knee OA compared to usual care treatment. WB-EMS could be used as an alternative therapy in the management of knee OA; particularly for patients that cannot be motivated for conventional training.
在一项随机对照研究中，全身肌电刺激（WB-EMS）被研究为一种有前途的替代治疗技术，与传统的力量训练相比，用于管理膝骨关节炎（OA）。72 名超重的、有症状的膝骨关节炎患者被随机分配到全身肌电刺激组（n = 36）或常规护理组（UCG，n = 36）。在七个月的时间里，全身肌电刺激组每两周接受三次全身肌电刺激训练，而 UCG 组则接受六次物理治疗。我们观察到主要结局“疼痛”的显著效果，由膝关节损伤和骨关节炎结果评分（KOOS）确定，全身肌电刺激组比 UCG 组有更有利的变化（组间差异 9.0 分，95%CI 2.9-15.1，p = 0.004）。次要结局，包括其他 KOOS 子量表（症状、日常生活功能、运动/娱乐活动功能和生活质量）、7 天疼痛日记、髋关节/腿部伸肌力量和下肢功能（30 秒坐站测试），也对全身肌电刺激组有统计学意义。总的来说，与常规护理治疗相比，全身肌电刺激在缓解膝骨关节炎患者的膝关节疼痛症状和改善身体功能方面是有效的。全身肌电刺激可以作为膝骨关节炎管理的替代治疗方法；特别是对于那些不能接受常规训练的患者。
