Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for pain management in combat‐related transtibial amputees during rehabilitation and prosthetic training. Issue 4 (19th April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brede, Emily; Metter, Earl Jeffrey; Talbot, Laura A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied biobehavioral research. Volume 22:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-04-19
• Subjects: Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Behaviorism (Psychology) -- Periodicals; 616.0019
• DOI: 10.1111/jabr.12084
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1071-2089

Abstract

Abstract : Military members with war‐related lower limb amputation experience a range of acute and chronic pain symptoms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pain during 12 weeks of a military amputee rehabilitation program (MARP) pre‐ and post‐prosthesis. The data for this study were drawn from a randomized clinical trial comparing MARP supplemented with neuromuscular electrostimulation (MARP + NMES, n = 23) to MARP alone ( n = 21) for service members with unilateral transtibial amputation. The McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and phantom limb pain/sensations were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks. Changes within‐ and between‐groups were analyzed with generalized mixed models. Participants reported mild‐to‐moderate pain at all visits, and improved significantly on the MPQ and frequency of phantom limb pain/sensations ( p < .001 for effect of time). Group by time interactions were not significant, indicating both groups showed similar improvement. Univariate tests showed the NMES + MARP group had lower pain intensity than MARP‐only group at weeks 3 and 6. Participants in MARP demonstrated good overall pain control and reported reduced pain and fewer days with phantom limb pain/sensations over 12 weeks. Adding NMES to MARP may be beneficial in early rehabilitation, and NMES could potentially enhance physical therapy participation by decreasing pain.