Sato Y1, Ono T1, Ishikura H2, Aihara K3, Tasaka A3, Umei N1, Tsumiyama W1, Oki S1
1Prefectural University of Hiroshima, Department of Physical Therapy, Mihara-shi, Japan, 2Hiroshima Cosmopolitan University, Department of Rehabilitation/Physical Therapist, Hiroshima-shi, Japan, 3Osaka Health Science University, Department of Rehabilitation Science, Osaka-shi, Japan
Background: The prevention of joint contractures is important, because a joint contracture can interfere with activities of daily living. In a previous study, we clarified that unweighting hind limbs of rats exacerbated the decreased extensibility of soleus muscles and joint contractures caused by joint fixation. However, the optimal method for prevention of joint contractures caused by joint fixation with unweighting hind limbs was not clarified.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if neuromuscular electrical stimulation for joint contractures caused by joint fixation with unweighting hind limbs may have a preventive effect.
Methods: The subjects were twelve male 10-weeks-old Wistar rats. The right ankle joint fixation in full plantar-flexion and unweighting hind limbs was performed for all rats for one week. Then the rats were divided into two groups: one group received neuromuscular electrical stimulation (S group), and the other group did not (NS group). The neuromuscular electrical stimulation was performed on the soleus muscles through the sciatic nerve for 30 min / day every day. The evaluations included the ankle dorsiflexion angle and the extensibility of the soleus muscle performed by a tensile test.
Results: The ankle dorsiflexion angles in each group on the last experiment day were significantly lower than those on the first experiment day. On the last experiment day, the decreased ankle dorsiflexion angles of the S group were significantly lower than that of the NS group. The decreased extensibility of the soleus muscles of the S group were significantly lower than that of the NS group.
Conclusion(s): The results indicate that the neuromuscular electrical stimulation may have prevented a decrease in the extensibility of the soleus muscles and joint contractures.
Implications: Clinically, it is suggested that the optimal method for the prevention of joint contractures caused by joint fixation with unweighting hind limbs may be the application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation.
Keywords: Joint contracture, Unweighting, Neuromuscular electrical stimulation
Funding acknowledgements: We thank everyone for their kind support during this study.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if neuromuscular electrical stimulation for joint contractures caused by joint fixation with unweighting hind limbs may have a preventive effect.
Methods: The subjects were twelve male 10-weeks-old Wistar rats. The right ankle joint fixation in full plantar-flexion and unweighting hind limbs was performed for all rats for one week. Then the rats were divided into two groups: one group received neuromuscular electrical stimulation (S group), and the other group did not (NS group). The neuromuscular electrical stimulation was performed on the soleus muscles through the sciatic nerve for 30 min / day every day. The evaluations included the ankle dorsiflexion angle and the extensibility of the soleus muscle performed by a tensile test.
Results: The ankle dorsiflexion angles in each group on the last experiment day were significantly lower than those on the first experiment day. On the last experiment day, the decreased ankle dorsiflexion angles of the S group were significantly lower than that of the NS group. The decreased extensibility of the soleus muscles of the S group were significantly lower than that of the NS group.
Conclusion(s): The results indicate that the neuromuscular electrical stimulation may have prevented a decrease in the extensibility of the soleus muscles and joint contractures.
Implications: Clinically, it is suggested that the optimal method for the prevention of joint contractures caused by joint fixation with unweighting hind limbs may be the application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation.
Keywords: Joint contracture, Unweighting, Neuromuscular electrical stimulation
Funding acknowledgements: We thank everyone for their kind support during this study.
Topic: Electrophysical & isothermal agents; Musculoskeletal: lower limb; Musculoskeletal
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Prefectural University of Hiroshima
Ethics committee: The Animal experiments committee
Ethics number: 13MA009
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
