Effects of electrical stimulation on muscle trophism in patients with hemophilic arthropathy.

OBJECTIVE

To determine changes occurring in the cross-sectional area, electromyography (EMG) activity, and the strength of the biceps brachii after an 8-week period of bilateral training with surface muscle electrical stimulation in patients with hemophilic arthropathy.

DESIGN

Controlled trial.

SETTING

Coagulopathy unit, university hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Volunteer subjects (N=30) participated in this study: 15 with severe hemophilia A (hemophilic group) and 15 nonhemophilic control subjects (control group).

INTERVENTIONS: The hemophilic group followed a surface electrical stimulation program (frequency 45 Hz, impulse 200 micros, 10s on/10s off) over an 8-week period on the biceps brachii of both arms. The control group did no training of any kind.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The cross-sectional area, maximum voluntary isometric contraction, and EMG activity of the biceps brachii in both arms were determined before and after the 8-week-long task.

RESULTS

The results of the hemophilic group showed significant increases in the diameter (15.8%, P<.001), isometric force (4.6%, P<.05), and EMG activity (37.6%, P<.05) of the biceps brachii muscles in both arms. No significant changes were observed for the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings confirm the efficacy of muscle electrical stimulation in causing muscles to hypertrophy in patients with hemophilia, thereby improving their muscular strength. In addition, these results may also be clinically applicable in the rehabilitation of patients who have similar deficiencies in the locomotor system.