scholarly journals Insights into the combination of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and motor imagery in a training-based approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amandine Bouguetoch ◽  
Alain Martin ◽  
Sidney Grosprêtre
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Motor Imagery ◽  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Muscle Architecture ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Before And After ◽  
V Wave ◽  
And Control

Abstract Introduction Training stimuli that partially activate the neuromuscular system, such as motor imagery (MI) or neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), have been previously shown as efficient tools to induce strength gains. Here the efficacy of MI, NMES or NMES + MI trainings has been compared. Methods Thirty-seven participants were enrolled in a training program of ten sessions in 2 weeks targeting plantar flexor muscles, distributed in four groups: MI, NMES, NMES + MI and control. Each group underwent forty contractions in each session, NMES + MI group doing 20 contractions of each modality. Before and after, the neuromuscular function was tested through the recording of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), but also electrophysiological and mechanical responses associated with electrical nerve stimulation. Muscle architecture was assessed by ultrasonography. Results MVC increased by 11.3 ± 3.5% in NMES group, by 13.8 ± 5.6% in MI, while unchanged for NMES + MI and control. During MVC, a significant increase in V-wave without associated changes in superimposed H-reflex has been observed for NMES and MI, suggesting that neural adaptations occurred at supraspinal level. Rest spinal excitability was increased in the MI group while decreased in the NMES group. No change in muscle architecture (pennation angle, fascicle length) has been found in any group but muscular peak twitch and soleus maximal M-wave increased in the NMES group only. Conclusion Finally, MI and NMES seem to be efficient stimuli to improve strength, although both exhibited different and specific neural plasticity. On its side, NMES + MI combination did not provide the expected gains, suggesting that their effects are not simply cumulative, or even are competitive.

Neuromuscular Fatigue After Repeated Jumping With Concomitant Electrical Stimulation

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1335-1340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daria Neyroud ◽  
Jimmy Samararatne ◽  
Bengt Kayser ◽  
Nicolas Place
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Training Stimulus ◽  
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Neuromuscular Fatigue ◽  
Voluntary Activation ◽  
Knee Extensors ◽  
Jump Height ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Squat Jumps

Purpose:To evaluate the etiology and extent of neuromuscular fatigue induced by 50 squat jumps performed with and without neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of the knee extensors.Methods:Nine healthy, recreationally active men (24 ± 2 y) took part in 2 experiments. These consisted of 50 squat jumps performed with stimulation (NMES) or without (CON). Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force, maximal voluntary activation level (VAL), and forces evoked by single and double (10 and 100 Hz) stimulations were recorded before and after the 50 jumps. NMES was delivered at the maximal tolerated intensity.Results:Despite average jump height being ∼16% lower in the NMES than in the CON session, a reduction over time in jump height was only found in the NMES condition (−6%). After the 50 jumps, MVC force was reduced to a greater extent in NMES than in CON (−25% ± 11% vs −11% ± 12%). Similarly, forces evoked by single stimulations, as well as by 10-Hz and 100-Hz paired stimulations, were reduced to a greater extent in NMES (−33% ± 12%, −42% ± 15%, and −25% ± 13%) than in CON (−21% ± 6%, −30% ± 9%, and −14% ± 11%). VAL was not significantly altered by either condition.Conclusion:Performing repeated squat jumps with concomitant NMES induced a greater fatigue than squat jumps performed alone and might potentially represent a stronger training stimulus.

Soleus- and Gastrocnemii-Evoked V-Wave Responses Increase After Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Training

2006 ◽  
Vol 95 (6) ◽  
pp. 3328-3335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Gondin ◽  
Julien Duclay ◽  
Alain Martin
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
H Reflex ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
V Wave

The aim of the study was to use combined longitudinal measurements of soleus (SOL) and gastrocnemii evoked V-wave and H-reflex responses to determine the site of adaptations within the central nervous system induced by 5 wk of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) training of the plantar flexor muscles. Nineteen healthy males subjects were divided into a neuromuscular electrostimulated group ( n = 12) and a control group ( n = 7). The training program consisted of 15 sessions of isometric NMES over a 5-wk period. All subjects were tested before and after the 5-wk period. SOL, lateral gastrocnemius (LG), and medial gastrocnemius (MG) maximal H-reflex and M-wave potentials were evoked at rest (i.e., Hmax and Mmax, respectively) and during maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) (i.e., Hsup and Msup, respectively). During MVC, a supramaximal stimulus was delivered that allowed us to record the V-wave peak-to-peak amplitudes from all three muscles. The SOL, LG, and MG electromyographic (EMG) activity as well as muscle activation (twitch interpolation technique) were also quantified during MVC. After training, plantar flexor MVC increased significantly by 22% ( P < 0.001). Torque gains were accompanied by an increase in muscle activation (+11%, P < 0.05), SOL, LG, and MG normalized EMG activity (+51, +54, and +60%, respectively, P < 0.05) and V/Msup ratios (+81, +76, and +97%, respectively, P < 0.05). Hmax/Mmax and Hsup/Msup ratios for all three muscles were unchanged after training. In conclusion, the increase in voluntary torque after 5 wk of NMES training could be ascribed to an increased volitional drive from the supraspinal centers and/or adaptations occurring at the spinal level.

scholarly journals Assessment of muscle activity using electrical stimulation and mechanomyography: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Uwamahoro ◽  
Kenneth Sundaraj ◽  
Indra Devi Subramaniam
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Electrical Signal ◽  
Muscle Performance ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Activity Assessment ◽  
Experimental Protocols

AbstractThis research has proved that mechanomyographic (MMG) signals can be used for evaluating muscle performance. Stimulation of the lost physiological functions of a muscle using an electrical signal has been determined crucial in clinical and experimental settings in which voluntary contraction fails in stimulating specific muscles. Previous studies have already indicated that characterizing contractile properties of muscles using MMG through neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) showed excellent reliability. Thus, this review highlights the use of MMG signals on evaluating skeletal muscles under electrical stimulation. In total, 336 original articles were identified from the Scopus and SpringerLink electronic databases using search keywords for studies published between 2000 and 2020, and their eligibility for inclusion in this review has been screened using various inclusion criteria. After screening, 62 studies remained for analysis, with two additional articles from the bibliography, were categorized into the following: (1) fatigue, (2) torque, (3) force, (4) stiffness, (5) electrode development, (6) reliability of MMG and NMES approaches, and (7) validation of these techniques in clinical monitoring. This review has found that MMG through NMES provides feature factors for muscle activity assessment, highlighting standardized electromyostimulation and MMG parameters from different experimental protocols. Despite the evidence of mathematical computations in quantifying MMG along with NMES, the requirement of the processing speed, and fluctuation of MMG signals influence the technique to be prone to errors. Interestingly, although this review does not focus on machine learning, there are only few studies that have adopted it as an alternative to statistical analysis in the assessment of muscle fatigue, torque, and force. The results confirm the need for further investigation on the use of sophisticated computations of features of MMG signals from electrically stimulated muscles in muscle function assessment and assistive technology such as prosthetics control.

Effect of adding neuromuscular electrical stimulation training to pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: randomized clinical trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwa Mekki ◽  
Thierry Paillard ◽  
Sonia Sahli ◽  
Zouhair Tabka ◽  
Yassine Trabelsi
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Pulmonary Rehabilitation ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation added to pulmonary rehabilitation on walking tolerance and balance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Design: Randomized clinical trial. Setting: Outpatient, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Tunisia. Subjects: A total of 45 patients with COPD were assigned to an intervention group ( n = 25) or a control group ( n = 20). Interventions: The intervention group underwent a neuromuscular electrical stimulation added to pulmonary rehabilitation, and the control group underwent only a pulmonary rehabilitation, three times per week during six months. Main Measures: Measures were taken at baseline and after six months of training. A stabilometric platform, time up and go, Berg balance scale tests, 6 minute walking test, and the maximal voluntary contraction were measured. Results: In the intervention group, an increase in an exercise tolerance manifested by a longer distance walked in 6 minute walking test 619.5 (39.6) m was observed in comparison to the control group 576.3 (31.5) m. The values of the time up and go, Berg balance scale, and maximal voluntary contraction in the intervention group at follow-up were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P  = 0.02, P  = 0.01, P  = 0.0002, respectively). The center of pressure in the mediolateral and in the anteroposterior directions, as well as the center of pressure area was significantly more improved in open eyes and closed eyes in the intervention group compared to the control group ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: The neuromuscular electrical stimulation added to pulmonary rehabilitation group benefited from better walking tolerance and greater balance improvement than the only pulmonary rehabilitation.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation training induces atypical adaptations of the human skeletal muscle phenotype: a functional and proteomic analysis

2011 ◽  
Vol 110 (2) ◽  
pp. 433-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Gondin ◽  
Lorenza Brocca ◽  
Elena Bellinzona ◽  
Giuseppe D'Antona ◽  
Nicola A. Maffiuletti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Proteomic Analysis ◽  
Metabolic Profile ◽  
Human Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Protein Pattern ◽  
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Vastus Lateralis Muscle ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Antioxidant Defense Systems

The aim of the present study was to define the chronic effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the neuromuscular properties of human skeletal muscle. Eight young healthy male subjects were subjected to 25 sessions of isometric NMES of the quadriceps muscle over an 8-wk period. Needle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle before and after training. The training status, myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform distribution, and global protein pattern, as assessed by proteomic analysis, widely varied among subjects at baseline and prompted the identification of two subgroups: an “active” (ACT) group, which performed regular exercise and had a slower MHC profile, and a sedentary (SED) group, which did not perform any exercise and had a faster MHC profile. Maximum voluntary force and neural activation significantly increased after NMES in both groups (+∼30% and +∼10%, respectively). Both type 1 and 2 fibers showed significant muscle hypertrophy. After NMES, both groups showed a significant shift from MHC-2X toward MHC-2A and MHC-1, i.e., a fast-to-slow transition. Proteomic maps showing ∼500 spots were obtained before and after training in both groups. Differentially expressed proteins were identified and grouped into functional categories. The most relevant changes regarded 1) myofibrillar proteins, whose changes were consistent with a fast-to-slow phenotype shift and with a strengthening of the cytoskeleton; 2) energy production systems, whose changes indicated a glycolytic-to-oxidative shift in the metabolic profile; and 3) antioxidant defense systems, whose changes indicated an enhancement of intracellular defenses against reactive oxygen species. The adaptations in the protein pattern of the ACT and SED groups were different but were, in both groups, typical of both resistance (i.e., strength gains and hypertrophy) and endurance (i.e., a fast-to-slow shift in MHC and metabolic profile) training. These training-induced adaptations can be ascribed to the peculiar motor unit recruitment pattern associated with NMES.

Effect of caffeine on skeletal muscle function before and after fatigue

1983 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 1303-1305 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Lopes ◽  
M. Aubier ◽  
J. Jardim ◽  
J. V. Aranda ◽  
P. T. Macklem
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Relaxation Rate ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Contractile Properties ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Caffeine Ingestion ◽  
Muscle Contractile Properties ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Muscle Contractile

We studied the effect of caffeine on voluntary and electrically stimulated contractions of the adductor pollicis muscle in five adult volunteers. Caffeine (500 mg) was administered orally in a double-blind fashion. Electrical stimulation of the ulnar nerve was performed at 10, 20, 30, 50, and 100 Hz before and after a sustained voluntary contraction held at 50% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). A brief tetanus at 30 Hz was also performed to calculate relaxation rate in the fresh muscle. Contractile properties, relaxation rate, and endurance were then assessed after caffeine and placebo, as well as the response of the fatigued muscle to different frequencies of stimulation. There was no difference in the maximal tension obtained with electrical stimulation (T100) or in the MVC between placebo and caffeine. The tensions developed with electrical stimulation at lower frequencies increased significantly with caffeine ingestion, shifting the frequency-force curve to the left, both before and after fatigue. Mean plasma caffeine concentration associated with these responses was 12.2 +/- 4.9 mg/l. We conclude that caffeine has a direct effect on skeletal muscle contractile properties both before and after fatigue as demonstrated by electrical stimulation.

scholarly journals Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and core muscle strengthening on trunk instability following stroke

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 3596
Author(s):  
Riyas Basheer K. B. ◽  
Dinesh K. V. ◽  
Subhashchandra Rai ◽  
Mohammed Arshak A. T.
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Combination Group ◽  
Muscle Strengthening ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Trunk Balance ◽  
Risk Of Fall

Background: Postural instability leads to balance dysfunction in stroke subjects, which always increase the risk of fall. This study aimed to compare the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and core muscle strengthening on trunk balance following stroke.Methods: Forty five stroke subjects were participated and assigned randomly into three groups; all groups received standard rehabilitation program; and core group received additional core strengthening, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) group received added electrical stimulation over paraspinal region and combination group received core muscle strengthening and NMES along with standard rehabilitation protocol. After four weeks of the interventions, primary and secondary outcome measures are evaluated. Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS), Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) and Barthel Index (BI) were evaluated before and after the intervention.Results: All the three (core MS, NMES and combination) groups showed significant improvement after the intervention (BBS 10.07, 15.54 and 18.27, PASS 6.54, 13.06 and 14.00, TIS 0.25, 0.25 and 0.51, BI 16.40, 29.93 and 36.53). The combination group (NMES and core muscle strengthening) showed better improvement than other two groups. TIS and BI total score showed positive (0.849) correlation.Conclusions: Addition of NMES along with core muscle strengthening for stroke rehabilitation will improve trunk stability, balance and ADLs.

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