The effect of neuromuscular electric sti̇mulation on pain, function, isokinetic shoulder rotator strength and muscle architecture in patients with rotator caf lesion

This study was conducted to examine the effect of electrical stimulation combined with conventional therapy in patients with shoulder rotator cuff lesion (RCL). 41 patients participating in the study were randomly divided into two groups as conventional therapy group (CT) (n=21) and conventional therapy with electrical stimulation group (CT+ES) (n=20). In the KT group, special exercises were applied to the supraspinatus muscle together with thermal agents, friction massage once a day, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. In the KT+ES group, electrical stimulation was added with shoulder exercises, thermal agents, friction massage, and 2500 Hz for 20 minutes, 3 times a day for 6 weeks; pulse duration 400 microseconds; It was applied as 10 seconds of warning and 50 seconds of rest. Pain visual analog scale (VAS), shoulder function, arm, shoulder and hand problems questionnaire (DASH), and The western Ontario rotator cuff index (WORC), muscle strength isokinetic system (Biodex System), and muscle architecture were evaluated with B-mode ultrasonography. All evaluations were made twice, before and after treatment. At the end of the study, clinical significance was observed in the results of VAS, DASH, WORC, muscle strength and muscle architecture parameters of the conventional treatment with electrical stimulation group (p<0.05). In the conventional treatment group, the values of VAS, DASH, WORC, muscle strength and muscle architecture parameters improved (p<0.05). However, it was observed that the changes in the conventional treatment group were less than in the conventional treatment with the electrical stimulation group (p<0.05). As a result, it was determined that conventional treatment provided improvement in pain, function, muscle strength and muscle architecture. When the groups were compared, it was determined that the electrical stimulation group applied in addition to the conventional treatment was superior to the other group. In line with this information, we think that electrical stimulation, which is applied in addition to conventional treatment, may be a more effective treatment method in the treatment of patients with RCL.