Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Blood Flow Restriction in Rehabilitation after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

The present study aimed to examine and compare the effects of a rehabilitation exercise (RE) using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and blood flow restriction (BFR) on muscle function and knee functional abilities in patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). A total of 45 patients who underwent ACLR (28.76 ± 0.8 years; 34 males and 11 females) were retrospectively divided into three groups: control (CON, n = 15), NMES (n = 15), and BFR (n = 15). All participants carried out the RE program for 60 min, thrice a week for 12 weeks. The Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, thigh circumference at 5 cm from the knee joint, Y-balance posterior medial, and lateral significantly increased in all groups via intervention (p < 0.05). However, NMES showed a higher thigh circumference at 15 cm from the knee joint than CON via intervention (p < 0.05), and the strength and endurance of quadriceps femoris and hamstrings and Y-balance anterior showed a significant increase via intervention in NMES and BFR compared with CON (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we confirmed that RE using NMES and BFR effectively enhances muscle function and balance in ACLR patients.