Decrement and Recovery of Maximal Isometric Contraction by Frequency during NMES

신경근전기자극 주파수에 따른 최대 등척성 수축력의 감소 및 회복

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of muscle fatigue by neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES). Using Biodex System 3PRO(Biodex Medical Systems Inc, USA), experiment was conducted as to the normal group(I) composed of fifteen adults and the patient group(II) composed of fifteen patients with spastic hemiplegia. As to each group, maximal tolerated intensity(MTI) and maximal tolerated isometric contraction(MTIC) in electric currents yielded by low rate(20 pps) and high rate(100 pps) neuromuscular electrical stimulation and the aspects of decrease and restoration of the isometric contraction were examined, and their strength decrement index(SDI) and strength recovery index(SRI) were also calculated. 1. As for MTI in NMES, the MTI of the group II was higher than that of the group I in both low rate and high rate NMES. In comparison within group, MTI of group II was significantly higher in high rate NMES rather than in low rate NMES(p<0.05). 2. In comparison of MTIC between groups, the group I showed higher in both low rate and high rate NMES. In comparison within group, MTIC of group II was significantly higher in high rate NMES rather than in low rate NMES(p<0.01). 3. As for SDI, both groups showed highest SDI in high rate NMES, but no significant differences could be observed. 4. As for SRI, both groups showed significantly low SRI in low rate NMES(p<0.01, p<0.05), and comparison between groups showed no significant differences could be observed. These result lead us to the conclusion that muscle fatigue was influenced by frequency, high rate NMES was lower at SDI and higher at SRI on compare to low rate NMES, therefor, a further studies concerning electrical stimulation should consider differences each frequency in response to treatment.