• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of both neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES) and isometrical exercise(IE) to strengthen the quadriceps femoris muscle. The relationships between the strength changes and the relative force and duration of training contractions were also studied. Methods : The subjects were divided into three group. The control group(n=6) received no exercise and/or stimulation. The isometric exercise (IE) group(n=6) performed maximum isometric contractions, and the neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES)(n=6) engaged electrically stimulated isometric contractions, three days a week for four weeks. Results : Results showed that both IE group and NMES group were found to have an increase in strength significantly greater(p<0.05) than the control group at 4 week. But between IE group and NMES group were not found to have an difference in strength significantly. Conclusion : The relative increase in isometric strength, using IE and NMES, may be determined by the ability of the subjects to tolerate longer and more forceful contractions. Suggestions for further research and implications for the clinical of IE and NMES for strength-training are discussed.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.195-202
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• 2019

Background: This study investigates the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in preventing deltoid atrophy during the first 12 weeks after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Methods: Eighteen patients undergoing arthroscopic repair of a medium-sized rotator cuff tear by a single surgeon, were randomized into two groups: NMES and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Each group used the respective device for 6 weeks after surgery. Pain was measured at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks postoperatively, using the visual analogue scale (VAS); range of motion (ROM), abduction strength and functional scores were measured at baseline and 12 weeks postoperatively. Deltoid thickness and cross-sectional areas were measured using magnetic resonance imaging at 12 weeks postoperatively. Results: At 12 weeks post-surgery, no statistically significant difference was observed between the NMES and TENS groups in the pain VAS, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, ROM, and abduction strength. Postoperative decrease in the thickness of the anterior, middle, and posterior deltoid, at the level just below the coracoid, was -2.5%, -0.7%, and -6.8%, respectively, in the NMES group, and -14.0%, -2.6%, and -8.2%, respectively, in the TENS group (p=0.016, p=0.677, and p=0.791, respectively). At the level of the inferior glenoid tubercle, postoperative decrease in area of the deltoid was -5.4% in the NMES group and -14.0% in the TENS group, which was significantly different (p=0.045). Conclusions: NMES has the potential for reducing deltoid atrophy after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, suggesting that NMES might help minimize postoperative atrophy after various shoulder surgeries.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.71-77
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• 2024

Purpose: The prolonged use of digital devices has led to the widespread adoption of poor postures, particularly rounded shoulder posture (RSP), associated with shoulder impingement and pain. This study investigates the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on RSP in healthy adults. Methods: Thirty adults with RSP were randomly assigned to NMES only, exercise only, or NMES with exercise groups. NMES was applied to the lower trapezius, which was the target muscle in this study, for a total of 2 weeks, 5 times per week, 20 minutes per session. The exercise program included pectoralis minor stretching, wall-slide exercise, dynamic hug exercise with band, and Brugger stretching for upper body with band, which were performed for a total of 2 weeks, 5 times per week, 20 minutes per session. Outcome measures, including the Supine Method (SM) for posture and surface electromyography (EMG) of the lower trapezius for muscle activity, were assessed before the intervention, after 5 sessions, and after 10 sessions. Results: All the groups showed significant changes in the SM and % maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) over time (p<0.05). The NMES group had significantly reduced SM at 1 week, while the exercise and combined groups had reduced SM at 2 weeks (p<0.017). All the groups had increased %MVIC at 2 weeks (p<0.017), with no significant differences observed between groups. Conclusion: NMES alone can be as effective as exercise in improving RSP. NMES combined with exercise also showed positive outcomes, thus offering diverse treatment options for this condition.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.19-30
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the effects of NMES for recovery of skeletal muscle. Methods: The normal group consisted of healthy rat without cast immobilization. The control group was breeding at standard cage during 7 days after 2 weeks-cast immobilization on hind limb. The experimental group. I. received NMES application during days after 2 weeks-cast immobilization on hind limb. The effects were measured with NT-3 immunoreactivity in neuromuscular junction by light microscope. Results: Immunoreactivity of NT-3 at the neuromuscular junction was higher appeared experimental groups than control group. Then, There was a little detection in the normal and control group. Conclusion: These therapeutic interventions enhance expression of NT-3 at the neuromuscular junction. Also, NMES is considered to effect on a normal structural formation and NT-3 expression at the neuromuscular junction.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.59-71
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to study for the change of neural adaptation by muscle contraction force when neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES) was applied. Sixteen subjects(8 male, 8 female) without neuromuscular disease volunteered to participate in the study. All subjects were divided into two subgroups: control(no electrical stimulation) group, NMES(50% maximal voluntary isometric contraction) group. NMES training program was performed in the calf muscle over three times a week for 12 weeks. Before and after experiment MVIC of ankle plantar flexor was measured by use of dynamometer. H-reflex and V-wave in tibial nerve were measured. The following results were obtained; MVIC and V/Mmax ratio were significantly increased in the electrical stimulation groups. However, H/Mmax ratio was not changed. It was closely relationship between MVIC and V/Mmax ratio. In this study, the effect of neural adaptation of central neural adaptation was found in this study. Accordingly, NMES means not only a change of muscle fiber and skeletal muscle volume but also a effect of neural adaptation of central neural drive. Also, it was found that there was closely relationship between MVIC and neural adaptation of central neural drive by NMES.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.223-230
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• 2007

Low power laser and neuromuscular electrical stimulation have been utilized in many clinical applications for the treatment of musculoskeletal lesion. This study was to investigate the effects of low power He-Ne IR laser and neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the change of the serum biochemical components in experimentally induced muscle injured rats. The twenty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly assigned to the 4 groups: the normal group (n=5), the control group (n=5), the low power laser irradiation group (LLI) (n=5) and the neuromuscular electrical stimulation group (NMES) (n=5). The experimentally induced muscle injury was induced by the subcutaneous injection of a 0.1 ml Freund's Complete Adjuvant into the right hind paw and calf muscles in control, LLI and NMES groups. The LLI group was irradiated with He-Ne IR laser for 5 minutes every day during 10 days. Also, the NMES group was electrically stimulated 15 minutes every day during 10 days. The normal and control groups were not received with any therapeutic intervention. The authors performed tests which were the concentration of the serum biochemical components to detect the effects of therapeutic interventions. The results were as follows: 1. The level of the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was significantly decreased in the LLI and NMES groups compare to the control group. 2. The level of the serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was significantly decreased in the LLI and NMES groups compare to the control group. 3. The level of the serum creatine kinase (CK) was significantly decreased in the LLI and NMES groups compare to the control group. From the results, we could come to the conclusion that low power laser and neuromuscular electrical stimulation could be accelerating healing processes of skeletal muscle injury and further clinical work will be required.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.11-20
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• 2007

The development of neonatal neuromuscular system is accomplished by the functional interaction between the spinal neurons and its target cells, skeletal muscle cells, and the intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting this process. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of suspension unloading (SU) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) upon the development of the neonatal spinal cord. For this study, the neonatal rats were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, an experimental group I, and an experimental group II. The SU for experimental group I and II was applied from postnatal day (PD) 5 to PD 30, and the NMES for experimental group II was applied from PD 16 to PD 30 using NMES that gave isometric contraction with 10 Hz for 30 minutes twice a day. In order to observe the effect of SU and NMES, this study observed neutrophin-3 (NT-3) and microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2) immunoreactivity in the lumbar spinal cord (L4-5) at the PD 15 and PD 30. The results are as follows. At PD 15, lumbar spinal cord of experimental group I and II had significantly lower NT-3 and MAP2 immunoreactivity than control group. It proved that a microgravity condition restricted the spinal development. At PD 30, lumbar spinal cord of control group and experimental group II had significantly higher NT-3 and MAP2 immunoreactivity than experimental group I. It proved that the NMES facilitated the spinal development by spinal cord-skeletal muscle interaction. These results suggest that weight bearing during the neonatal developmental period is essential for the development of neuromuscular development. Also, the NMES on its target skeletal muscle can encourage the development of the spinal cord system with a full supplementation of the effect of weight bearing, which is an essential factor in neonatal developmental process.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.81-89
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• 2019

PURPOSE: To solve the problems of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients complaining of muscle fatigue and having limited motor abilities, this study provided the clinical basic data for pulmonary rehabilitation by examining the effects of High Low-Frequency Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) on the respiratory muscle strength, quadriceps muscle activity, and life quality. METHODS: Samples were collected from 20 COPD patients and placed randomly in a low-frequency group (n=10) and high-frequency group (n=10). For a pretest, the respiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP), quadriceps muscle activity (LF, VM, VL), and life quality (SGRQ) were measured. After applying NMES to each group for 30 minutes at a time, five times a week, for four weeks, a posttest was conducted in the same way as the pretest. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant differences in the respiratory muscle strength, quadriceps muscle activity, and quality of life within the groups and there were significant differences in the quadriceps muscle activity between the groups. CONCLUSION: The four-weeks NMES positively influenced the respiratory muscle strength and life quality by enhancing the function of the quadriceps and exercise tolerance. In particular, high-frequency(75 Hz) NMES was more effective than low-frequency (15 Hz) NMES. This result can be an alternative means to improve the physical functions of COPD patients clinically in the future.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.69-83
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• 2022

Objective : This study aimed to confirm the possibility of the clinical application of oral motor facilitation technique (OMFT) protocol and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in patients with Wallenberg syndrome. Methods : One patient with Wallenberg syndrome was treated with OMFT and NMES applied 40 times each, 5 days a week, twice a day for 4 weeks. The Comprehensive Oral-Facial Function Scale (COFFS), Korean-Mann Swallowing Ability Assessment (K-MASA), and Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) were used to compare the changes before and after the intervention. Data analysis was used to compare the score changes before and after the intervention. Results : Orofacial function and swallowing ability improved after the intervention in the individual who participated in this study. Among oral motor functions, relatively greater functional improvement was observed in tongue movement compared to other functions, which was evaluated to the extent that pharyngeal swallowing was possible. Conclusions : Early swallowing rehabilitation using systematic OMFT and NMES of exercise intensity confirmed the possibility of improving oral motor function and dysphagia. In the future, complementary studies on the effects of interventions applying the OMFT and NMES will be needed.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.2365-2369
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• 2021

Background: Patients with dysphagia after stroke are treated with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), but its effect on masseter muscle thickness and bite force in the oral phase is not well known. Objectives: To investigated the effect of NMES on masseter muscle thickness and occlusal force in patients with dysphagia after stroke. Design: Two group, pre-post design. Methods: In this study, 25 patients with dysphagia after stroke were recruited and allocated to either the experimental or the control groups. Patients in the experimental group were treated with NMES to the masseter muscle at the motor level for 30 minutes and were additionally treated with traditional swallowing rehabilitation for 30 minutes. In contrast, patients in the control group were only treated with traditional swallowing rehabilitation for 30 minutes. Masseter muscle thickness was measured using ultrasonography before and after intervention, and bite force was measured using an bite force meter. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvement in masseter muscle thickness and bite force compared to the control group. Conclusion: NMES combined with traditional dysphagia rehabilitation is effective in improving masseter muscle thickness and bite force in patients with dysphagia after stroke.