Effect of Russian Current Expert Modes on Quadriceps Muscle Torque in Healthy Adults: A Single-blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Overview

Journal PLoS One

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2024 Jan 25

PMID 38271360

Authors

Ansam Hasan

Ibrahim Moustafa

Tamer Shousha

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Russian current (RC), a well-known neuromuscular electrical stimulation operating at 2500 Hz, has demonstrated significant strength improvement over traditional exercises due to its high tolerance and low pain provocation. Despite extensive NMES parameter research, the specific effects of expert modes, particularly ON2 and Rest, remain unexplored. This study investigates the direct effect of these expert modes on quadriceps muscle strength in healthy adults.

Methods: This is a single-blind, randomization-controlled trial. Forty-eight healthy university students (31 females, 17 males) were assigned in two randomized experimental groups either the ON2 or Rest mode for a 15-minute electrical stimulation session. Quadriceps maximum voluntary isokinetic contraction measurements were taken before and directly after RC application using Biodex Medical Systems 4 pro isokinetic dynamometer.

Results: Both RC modes significantly increased the quadriceps muscle torque in healthy adults compared to baseline (p<0.05). Baseline mean torque was 123.28 (SD = 38.8), and post- RC mean torque was 136.67 (SD = 45.76). Deviation from normality was observed at baseline (p = 0.034) and persisted post-RC application (p = 0.017). The Wilcoxon test reported significant increases in quadriceps muscle knee torque for both ON2 and Rest groups (p < 0.001). The lack of ties in ranks and negative Z-values highlight the robustness of the observed effects.

Conclusion: The findings of this study align with previous research on NMES and RC supporting the idea that electrical stimulation enhances muscle strength, selecting the appropriate RC expert modes can assist physiotherapist in tailoring rehabilitation program to achieve their specific strength goals.

References

Ward A, Shkuratova N . Russian electrical stimulation: the early experiments. Phys Ther. 2002; 82(10):1019-30. View

Selkowitz D, Rossman E, Fitzpatrick S . Effect of burst-modulated alternating current carrier frequency on current amplitude required to produce maximally tolerated electrically stimulated quadriceps femoris knee extension torque. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2009; 88(12):973-8. DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0b013e3181c1eda5. View

McLoda T, Carmack J . Optimal burst duration during a facilitated quadriceps femoris contraction. J Athl Train. 2006; 35(2):145-50. PMC: 1323410. View

Lein Jr D, Myers C, Bickel C . Impact of Varying the Parameters of Stimulation of 2 Commonly Used Waveforms on Muscle Force Production and Fatigue. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2015; 45(8):634-41. DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2015.5574. View

Williamson A, Hoggart B . Pain: a review of three commonly used pain rating scales. J Clin Nurs. 2005; 14(7):798-804. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2005.01121.x. View

Binder-Macleod S, Halden E, Jungles K . Effects of stimulation intensity on the physiological responses of human motor units. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995; 27(4):556-65. View

Delitto A, Rose S, McKowen J, LEHMAN R, Thomas J, Shively R . Electrical stimulation versus voluntary exercise in strengthening thigh musculature after anterior cruciate ligament surgery. Phys Ther. 1988; 68(5):660-3. DOI: 10.1093/ptj/68.5.660. View

Ward A, Robertson V . Variation in motor threshold with frequency using kHz frequency alternating current. Muscle Nerve. 2001; 24(10):1303-11. DOI: 10.1002/mus.1148. View

Aldayel A, Jubeau M, McGuigan M, Nosaka K . Comparison between alternating and pulsed current electrical muscle stimulation for muscle and systemic acute responses. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2010; 109(3):735-44. DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00189.2010. View

10.

Gorgey A, Dudley G . The role of pulse duration and stimulation duration in maximizing the normalized torque during neuromuscular electrical stimulation. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2008; 38(8):508-16. PMC: 2554670. DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2008.2734. View

11.

Laughman R, Youdas J, Garrett T, Chao E . Strength changes in the normal quadriceps femoris muscle as a result of electrical stimulation. Phys Ther. 1983; 63(4):494-9. DOI: 10.1093/ptj/63.4.494. View

12.

Snyder-Mackler L, Delitto A, Stralka S, Bailey S . Use of electrical stimulation to enhance recovery of quadriceps femoris muscle force production in patients following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Phys Ther. 1994; 74(10):901-7. DOI: 10.1093/ptj/74.10.901. View

13.

Bickel C, Gregory C, Azuero A . Matching initial torque with different stimulation parameters influences skeletal muscle fatigue. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2012; 49(2):323-31. DOI: 10.1682/jrrd.2011.02.0030. View

14.

Ward A, Chuen W . Lowering of sensory, motor, and pain-tolerance thresholds with burst duration using kilohertz-frequency alternating current electric stimulation: part II. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009; 90(9):1619-27. DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2009.02.022. View

15.

Gobbo M, Gaffurini P, Bissolotti L, Esposito F, Orizio C . Transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation: influence of electrode positioning and stimulus amplitude settings on muscle response. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2011; 111(10):2451-9. DOI: 10.1007/s00421-011-2047-4. View

16.

Hartsell H, Kramer J . A comparison of the effects of electrode placement, muscle tension, and isometric torque of the knee extensors. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1992; 15(4):168-74. DOI: 10.2519/jospt.1992.15.4.168. View

17.

Kesar T, Chou L, Binder-Macleod S . Effects of stimulation frequency versus pulse duration modulation on muscle fatigue. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2007; 18(4):662-71. PMC: 2562565. DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2007.01.001. View

18.

Simsek S, Soysal A, Kas Ozdemir A, Bas Aslan U, Korkmaz M . Effect of Superimposed Russian Current on Quadriceps Strength and Lower-Extremity Endurance in Healthy Males and Females. J Sport Rehabil. 2022; 32(1):46-52. DOI: 10.1123/jsr.2021-0437. View

19.

Alon G . Use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in neureorehabilitation: a challenge to all. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2004; 40(6):ix-xii. DOI: 10.1682/jrrd.2003.11.0009. View

20.

Gorgey A, Black C, Elder C, Dudley G . Effects of electrical stimulation parameters on fatigue in skeletal muscle. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2009; 39(9):684-92. DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2009.3045. View