Document Detail


Superimposed electrical stimulation decreases maximal grip force.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20585292     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess maximal grip force in two conditions of voluntary muscular contraction (MVC) and electrical stimulation superimposed on voluntary muscular contraction (SES) to better understand mechanisms and effectiveness of electrical stimulation of the hand. There is conflicting evidence regarding the effectiveness of electrical stimulation superimposed on voluntary muscular contraction on improving maximal force. Increased knowledge of the physiologic and mechanical effects of electrical stimulation applied during voluntary muscular contraction can lead to refinement of its clinical application.
METHODS: Twenty subjects (36+/-13 years; 17 males and 3 females) participated in this study. All subjects were undergoing physical therapy within a hand rehabilitation center. They were instructed to randomly perform three grip determinations in both voluntary muscular contraction and superimposed electrical stimulation conditions to elicit maximal grip force of the unaffected hand. Force was assessed using a handheld dynamometer. Subjective force and contraction were assessed just after sessions as well as pain and discomfort using a visual analogue scale.
RESULTS: The mean force values were 22+/-7 kg and 30+/-1 kg for the superimposed electrical stimulation and voluntary muscular contraction conditions, respectively. Analyses of the force measures showed that force was weaker in the superimposed electrical stimulation condition (P<0.001). Patients rated their pain and discomfort at 0+/-0 mm and 4+/-2.9 mm, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Maximal grip force is reduced when electrical stimulation is superimposed to voluntary muscular contraction. This result could be explained by unbalanced muscular synergies at the hand due to SES, confirming these synergies as essential to produce maximal grip force.
Authors:
M Boisgontier; N Vuillerme; M D Iversen
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness     Volume:  50     ISSN:  0022-4707     ISO Abbreviation:  J Sports Med Phys Fitness     Publication Date:  2010 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-06-29     Completed Date:  2010-12-23     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0376337     Medline TA:  J Sports Med Phys Fitness     Country:  Italy    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  152-8     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
TIMC-IMAG Laboratory, UMR-UJF-CNRS 5525, La Tronche, France. matthieu.boisgontier@imag.fr
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Electric Stimulation*
Female
Hand Strength / physiology*
Humans
Male
Muscle Contraction / physiology
Muscle Strength Dynamometer
Pain Measurement

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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