Kajian sistematis tentang electrical muscle stimulation dalam rehabilitasi dan pemulihan cedera olahraga

Abstract

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, parameter–response relationships, safety considerations, and practical applications of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) modalities—including neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and whole-body EMS (WB-EMS)—in the rehabilitation of sports-related musculoskeletal injuries. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, identifying clinical trials, quasi-experimental studies, and observational research involving athletes or physically active individuals. Thirty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings indicate that EMS enhances neuromuscular activation, improves muscle strength, reduces pain in the early recovery phase, and supports functional restoration when applied with appropriate parameters (e.g., 200–400 µs pulse width, 50–100 Hz frequency, and 20–25% duty cycle). NMES was particularly effective in post-ACL reconstruction and patellofemoral pain, whereas TENS facilitated short-term analgesia that improved training tolerance. WB-EMS showed potential in multimodal strengthening but required careful dose progression due to safety considerations. Across modalities, outcomes were influenced by stimulation parameters, application timing, and adherence. Overall, EMS represents a safe and valuable adjunct to exercise-based rehabilitation when delivered with precise parameterization and individualized load progression.