This very comprehensive article reviewed 18 published works in the use of TES
and NMES in cerebral palsy. They summarized the findings of each study and MOST
IMPORTANTLY, they evaluate the scientific merit of the research studies. Only
6 articles were considered of the highest caliber of empirical research (Levels
1). Three of these randomized controlled trials examined the use of NMES and three
examined TES.
Two of the Level 1 NMES trials reported positive results and 1 of the TES trials.
Only 2 studies reported a pre-study estimation of sample size and power analysis.
These two studies were ONLY ones evaluated as Level 1/S with a strong quality
and methodological rigor based on the AACPDM classification of levels of evidence
of internal validity. (1)
The only Level 1/S NMES study (2) "failed to demonstrate any statistically
or clinically significant improvements with treatment". The only Level
1/S TES study (3) demonstrated "statistically significant functional changes".
This is an interesting review that really demonstrated the need for a higher
quality of research design in the field of electrotherapy.
1. Butler C. (1999) American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine
Methodology for developing evidence tables and reviewing treatment outcomes
research. www.aacpdm.org (pdf)
2. van der Linden ML, Hazlewood ME, Aitchison AM, Hillman SJ, Robb JE. (2003)
Electrical stimulation of gluteus maximus in children with cerebral palsy: effects
on gait characteristics and muscle strength. Dev Med Child Neurol 45:385-390
3. Steinbok P, Reiner A, Kestle JRW. (1997) Therapeutic electrical stimulation
following selective posterior rhizotomy in children with spastic diplegic cerebral
palsy: a randomized clinical trial. Dev Med Child Neurol 39:515-520
The full article may be purchased from Cambridge Journals Online. (click)
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