• Sarah Novak, Gabriela Guerron, Zhiwei Zou, Gavin Cheung, and Jean-Philippe Berteau.
• From the Department of Physical Therapy, City University of New York - College of Staten Island, New York City, New York (SN, GG, ZZ, GC, J-PB); New York Centre for Biomedical Engineering, City University of New York - City College of New York, New York City, New York (J-PB); and Nanosciences Initiative, City University of New York - Advance Science Research Center, New York City, New York (J-PB).
• Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2020 Aug 1; 99 (8): 682-688.

ObjectiveThe goal of this systematic review was to provide guidelines for treatment parameters regarding electrical stimulation by investigating its efficacy in improving muscle strength and decreasing pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis.DesignFollowing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses standard, three electronic databases (CINAHL, PubMed, and PEDro) and gray literature were used. Randomized control trials comparing electrical stimulation and conservative physical therapy were critically appraised using the 2005 University of Oxford standard.ResultsNine randomized control trials were included in our review. First, our review confirmed that neuromuscular electrical stimulation is the most effective electrical stimulation treatment in the management of knee OA, and its efficiency is higher when combined with a strengthening program. Second, frequency of at least 50 Hz and no more than 75 Hz with a pulse duration between 200 and 400 μs and a treatment duration of 20 mins is necessary for successful treatment.ConclusionsFor the first time, our review provides standardized clinical treatment parameters for neuromuscular electrical stimulation to be included in a strengthening program for the adult patient with knee OA.To Claim Cme CreditsComplete the self-assessment activity and evaluation online at http://www.physiatry.org/JournalCME CME OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this article, the reader should be able to: (1) Recall the impact of quadriceps femoris weakness on joint stability; (2) Summarize the mechanism of action of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on reducing pain and increasing muscle strength; and (3) Plan the clinical treatment parameters of NMES to be included in a strengthening program for an adult patient with knee osteoarthritis.LevelAdvanced.AccreditationThe Association of Academic Physiatrists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.The Association of Academic Physiatrists designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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