Does neuromuscular electrical stimulation enhance the effectiveness of an exercise programme in subjects with knee osteoarthritis? A randomized controlled trial

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50 patients were included in this trial to determine whether neuromuscular electrical stimulation (applied to the quadriceps femoris muscle) would improve the effectiveness of an exercise programme in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Patients were randomized to 12 biweekly treatments of either exercise alone or exercise combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation. The results indicated that electrical stimulation enhanced the effectiveness in alleviating pain and improving voluntary activation; however, muscle strength or functional performance was not enhanced with this treatment.