ABSTRACT
This work aimed to evaluate the effects of neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES) on the functionality of frail and pre-frail hospitalized older adults. It is a randomized clinical trial that dealt with 17 hospitalized people. Anthropometric, socioeconomic and clinical data were evaluated, followed by the scale proposed by Fried to identify the frailty syndrome. In addition, we evaluated thigh perimetry and lower limb strength according to the Medical Research Council (MRC) as well as conducted the sit-to-stand test (STST). Patients were allocated to the control group (CG; n=9), aged 67.7±6.9 years and intervention group (IG; n=8), aged 71.2±5.6 years. Both groups received conventional physiotherapy care. The NMES protocol was applied only in the intervention group. The groups were similar in terms of sociodemographic, anthropometric profile, clinical characteristics and continuous use of medications. There were significant effects of NMES when compared to CG for right thigh perimetry (p=0.03); number of repetitions in STST (p=0.004) and quadriceps muscle strength (p=0.01) evaluated by the MRC scale. The quadriceps muscle training with the aid of NMES was effective in frail and pre-frail hospitalized people, promoting increased strength and functional performance.
KEYWORDS
Age; Electric Stimulation; Muscle Strength; Frailty
