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Updated: Jan 6, 2026
Paradigms of Lower Extremity Electrical Stimulation Training After Spinal Cord Injury
Published on: February 1, 2018
Pilot Study to Assess the Ability of a 4-Week, Home-Based, Electrical Muscle Stimulation Program to Improve Lower
Hisashi Kosaka1, Tome Ikezoe2, Kimitaka Hase3
1Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata.
Objective:
To assess the effectiveness of home-based self-rehabilitation using a portable electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) device for improving severe sarcopenia by improving lower extremity function.
Design:
The effect of 4 weeks of EMS training on improving lower extremity function was compared between patients divided into 2 groups based on baseline lower extremity function. Self-rehabilitation was carried out with a portable EMS device, the SIXPAD Foot Fit, and each session lasted 15-23 minutes. Lower extremity function was assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB).
Setting:
University hospital.
Participants:
The study included 50 older outpatients (N=50) with a mean age of 75 years; 98% had hepatobiliary cancer, and 38% were men.
Interventions:
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures:
Patients were divided into 2 groups based on baseline SPPB value (SPPB ≤ 9 or SPPB >9). Lower extremity function was observed prospectively during 4 weeks of home-based self-rehabilitation.
Results:
EMS was used consistently, with a median duration of use of 28 days. In the baseline SPPB>9 group, lower extremity function was not significantly improved (SPPB, 11.0-12.0; P=.290). In contrast, significant improvement was observed in the baseline SPPB ≤ 9 group, and the total score (SPPB score, 8.0-9.0; P=.001) and 2 of its 3 components, balance (balance score, 3.0-4.0; P=.009) and gait speed (gait speed score, 3.0-4.0; P=.002), improved significantly. Sit-to-stand ability did not improve (Sit-to-stand score, 1.0-2.0; P=.060). As a result, the proportion of patients with severe sarcopenia was initially 66.7% but decreased significantly to 36.4% (P=.002).
Conclusions:
A home-based, self-rehabilitation program using a portable EMS device may improve lower extremity function and attenuate sarcopenic status in older patients with cancer with reduced lower extremity function.
