Electrical Muscle Stimulation with Russian Current in Chronic Cerebral Ischaemia

To test whether inpatient electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) using Russian current (5 kHz carrier, 50 Hz modulation; 4 s ON/6 s OFF) improves mobility and balance in elderly people with chronic cerebral ischaemia.

Prospective single-centre controlled observational pilot, embedded in routine inpatient rehabilitation; no concealed randomisation (EMS + standard care; sham EMS + standard care; standard care only (control)).

A single-centre controlled observational study with three groups was conducted (EMS n = 27, control n = 10, sham n = 7) with 3-9 sessions over 2 weeks (20 min; quadriceps and calves). Pre/Post Outcomes: Tinetti (balance/gait), Rivermead Mobility Index, Timed Up and Go (TUG), ankle extensor maximal voluntary force (MVF), stabilography (statokinesiogram path length (L), mean velocity of COP (V), sway area (S), and myotonometry; ANOVA, α = 0.05). Ethics approval and informed consent were obtained. Between-group differences in change scores were evaluated descriptively, and no formal hypothesis-testing was planned.

EMS showed significant gains versus control/sham-higher Tinetti total and Rivermead scores, faster TUG, higher MVF, and improved stabilography in the eyes-closed condition (reduced L, V, and S), with good tolerability and no serious adverse events (SAEs).

Short-course Russian-current EMS is feasible and associated with clinically meaningful improvements in balance, gait, and strength in elderly patients with chronic cerebral ischaemia; however, larger randomised trials are warranted.