Universität zu Köln

Harmsen, Jan-Frieder ORCID: 0000-0002-0962-8633, Sistig, Anna, Fasse, Alessandro, Hackl, Michael, Wegmann, Kilian and Behringer, Michael . Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Reduces Leg Cramps in Patients With Lumbar Degenerative Disorders: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Neuromodulation. HOBOKEN: WILEY. ISSN 1525-1403

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Abstract

Objectives Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and lumbar disc herniation (LDH) are often accompanied by frequently occurring leg cramps severely affecting patients' life and sleep quality. Recent evidence suggests that neuromuscular electric stimulation (NMES) of cramp-prone muscles may prevent cramps in lumbar disorders. Materials and Methods Thirty-two men and women (63 +/- 9 years) with LSS and/or LDH suffering from cramps were randomly allocated to four different groups. Unilateral stimulation of the gastrocnemius was applied twice a week over four weeks (3 x 6 x 5 sec stimulation trains at 30 Hz above the individual cramp threshold frequency [CTF]). Three groups received either 85%, 55%, or 25% of their maximum tolerated stimulation intensity, whereas one group only received pseudo-stimulation. Results The number of reported leg cramps decreased in the 25% (25 +/- 14 to 7 +/- 4; p = 0.002), 55% (24 +/- 10 to 10 +/- 11; p = 0.014) and 85%NMES (23 +/- 17 to 1 +/- 1; p < 0.001) group, whereas it remained unchanged after pseudo-stimulation (20 +/- 32 to 19 +/- 33; p > 0.999). In the 25% and 85%NMES group, this improvement was accompanied by an increased CTF (p < 0.001). Conclusion Regularly applied NMES of the calf muscles reduces leg cramps in patients with LSS/LDH even at low stimulation intensity.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Harmsen, Jan-Frieder UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0002-0962-8633 UNSPECIFIED Sistig, Anna UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Fasse, Alessandro UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Hackl, Michael UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Wegmann, Kilian UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Behringer, Michael UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-311893
DOI:	10.1111/ner.13315
Journal or Publication Title:	Neuromodulation
Publisher:	WILEY
Place of Publication:	HOBOKEN
ISSN:	1525-1403
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language THRESHOLD FREQUENCY; AXONAL EXCITABILITY; MUSCLE CRAMPS; DISEASE Multiple languages Medicine, Research & Experimental; Clinical Neurology Multiple languages
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/31189