Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Combined With Rehabilitation Training Improves Rehabilitation After Spinal Cord Injury

AIM: Spinal cord injury (SCI), particularly traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI), is a globally prevalent neurological condition and often causes severe functional and physical disabilities. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), when combined with rehabilitation training, has been reported to enhance functional recovery in patients with SCI. However, its specific clinical advantages and safety profile require further validation through robust empirical data. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the synergistic effects of NMES combined with rehabilitation training on improving motor function and reducing muscle atrophy in SCI patients. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 856 patients with TSCI. All patients received either surgical intervention or conservative treatment based on injury severity. Among them, 472 patients received NMES combined with rehabilitation training (intervention group), while the remaining 384 patients received rehabilitation training alone (control group). Several parameters, including neurological function score, muscle mass, and quality of life (QoL) were compared pre- and post-interventions to evaluate the rehabilitation outcomes of the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the patients in the intervention group showed higher motor and sensory function scores (American Spinal Injury Association [ASIA] motor and ASIA sensory scores), walking speed on the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) value than those in the control group (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in Spinal Cord Independence Measure III (SCIM-III) scores, muscle quality index (MQI), and World Health Organization Quality of Life–Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) scores (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Combining NMES with rehabilitation training can enhance motor function recovery, attenuate muscle atrophy, and improve walking ability in individuals with SCI. NMES-augmented rehabilitation offers superior benefits compared to rehabilitation alone.