Therapeutic efficacy of home-based neuromuscular electrical stimulation on early postoperative functional recovery following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction: Pain management and prevention of muscle atrophy are key rehabilitation challenges following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR). Despite the potential muscle atrophy-reducing and analgesic effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), evidence supporting its use in post-ARCR rehabilitation remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of home-based NMES intervention for promoting early functional recovery after ARCR.

Methods: A total of 63 ARCR patients were randomized into the NMES group (n = 32) and MENS (Micro-current electrical nerve stimulation) group (n = 31), both receiving a 6-week home-based intervention (5 sessions weekly, 30 min per session) following surgery. The NMES group used neuromuscular electrical stimulation equipment, while the MENS group used identical devices without current output. The primary outcome was the Constant-Murley Shoulder (CMS) score, with secondary outcomes including resting and active visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, deltoid muscle thicknes, shoulder range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia scores. Assessments were conducted preoperatively, at 6 weeks, and 3 months postoperatively.

Results: At 6 weeks postoperatively, the NMES group exhibited a significantly higher CMS than the MENS group (76.10 ± 9.43 vs. 71.22 ± 9.2 p = 0.032), along with superior active pain relief (active VAS: 4.1 ± 0.9 vs. 3.4 ± 0.7 p = 0.003), greater forward flexion ROM (151.7 ± 11.3 vs. 141.8 ± 13.6 p = 0.003), and thicker deltoid muscle thickness (1.02 ± 0.06 vs. 0.91 ± 0.06 p < 0.001). The NMES group also demonstrated lower TSK scores (31.06 ± 6.69 vs. 35.42 ± 7.76 p = 0.020) and greater adductor strength (40.9 ± 16.7 vs. 33.5 ± 12.2 p = 0.048). By 3 months postoperatively, intergroup differences persisted only in abductor ROM, muscle strength, and deltoid thickness, with no significant disparities in other measured indices.

Conclusions: Home-based NMES effectively accelerates functional recovery, enhances pain management, and mitigates kinesiophobia within 6 weeks post-ARCR, with partial maintenance of these benefits at the 3-month follow-up. This intervention offers a safe adjunctive strategy for early rehabilitation, particularly suited to patients requiring rapid functional restoration; however, long-term efficacy remains to be confirmed.To evaluate the acceptability of MyCheck for asymptomatic sexually transmissible infections (STIs) testing.

Trial registration: (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( https://www.chictr.org.cn ), No. ChiCTR2400088194, 13/08/2024).

Keywords: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair; Home-Based; Neuromuscular electrical stimulation; Rehabilitation; Rotator cuff tears.

Fig. 1

EMS device (Jinzhun, China)

Fig. 2

Self-adhesive flexible electrodes were positioned over the inferoanterior and posterior deltoid regions

Fig. 3

Ultrasound measurement of deltoid muscle thickness(MD)

Fig. 4

Study flowchart

Fig. 5

Pain during rest for the two groups over the study period (*means p < 0.05)

Fig. 6

Pain during activity for the two groups over the study period (*means p < 0.05)