These results support the use of high-intensity electrical stimulation and do not support the use of low-intensity or battery-powered stimulators when the goal is recovery of quadriceps femoris muscle force production in the early phases of rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament surgery. [Snyder-Mackler L, Delitto A, Stralka SW, Bailey SL. Use of electrical stimulation to enhance recovery of quadriceps femoris muscle force production in patients following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
The effect of prolonged daily electrical stimulation (ES) on quadriceps strength in 22 patients during the 6 weeks following anterior cruciate reconstruction was investigated. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either a combination of ES and exercise or exercise alone. Isometric quadriceps strength was measured at the 7th, 8th, and 9th postoperative weeks. No significant difference in strength existed between the groups as a result of ES. A significant difference in strength did exist between competitive and recreational athletes regardless of treatment. Further research is needed to determine if the addition of ES to isometric exercise during immobilization can significantly retard strength loss after anterior cruciate reconstructive surgery.
The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) and high voltage pulsed current (HVPC) in reducing chronic posttraumatic hand edema. Thirty patients with posttraumatic hand edema were randomly assigned to IPC, HVPC, or placebo-HVPC groups (10 patients in each group). Patients received a single application of the respective treatment for 30 minutes. Measurements were made before and after a 10-minute rest period and after the 30-minute treatment. A volumetric method was used to quantify edema reduction. Reduction in hand edema was significant between the IPC and placebo-HVPC groups (p = .01). Differences in edema reduction between the HVPC and placebo-HVPC groups did not reach statistical significance (p = .04), but were considered clinically significant. There was no significant difference between the IPC and HVPC groups. A single 30-minute administration of IPC produced a significant reduction in hand edema. Additional clinical studies are needed to delineate maximally effective treatment protocols for reduction of chronic posttraumatic hand edema. [Griffin JW, Newsome LS, Stralka SW, et al: Reduction of chronic posttraumatic hand edema: A comparison of high voltage pulsed current, intermittent pneumatic compression, and placebo treatments.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.