Effects of Electrical Stimulation and Sleeve on Knee Proprioception
Author Information
Author(s): Collins Amber T, Blackburn J Troy, Olcott Chris W, Dirschl Douglas R, Weinhold Paul S
Primary Institution: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Hypothesis
We hypothesized that SR stimulation when applied with a sleeve would enhance proprioception relative to the control and sleeve alone conditions.
Conclusion
SR electrical stimulation when combined with a neoprene sleeve is an effective modality for enhancement of joint proprioception in the PWB knee.
Supporting Evidence
- Joint position sense error during the stimulation/sleeve condition was more accurate relative to the control condition in the PWB task.
- No difference in joint position sense error was found between stimulation/sleeve and sleeve alone conditions for the PWB task.
- Joint position sense error was not found to differ between any of the conditions for the NWB task.
Takeaway
This study tested if a special electrical stimulation combined with a knee sleeve could help people know where their knee is better. It worked when the knee was bearing weight.
Methodology
Twenty-four healthy subjects were tested under four conditions: electrical stimulation/sleeve, no stimulation/sleeve, no stimulation/no sleeve, and stimulation/no sleeve, measuring joint position sense.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the fitting of the neoprene sleeve and the use of a single target angle.
Limitations
The study was limited by using healthy young adults, which may have resulted in a ceiling effect for proprioceptive improvements.
Participant Demographics
24 healthy, physically active subjects (12 males, 12 females) aged 18-35.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.014
Confidence Interval
95% CI of difference
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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