Neuromuscular electrical stimulation to improve gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: To systematically review the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) as an adjuvant therapy to improve gross motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, PEDro and Scopus were searched. We included randomized controlled trials examining the effects of NMES combined with other therapies on gross motor function as assessed by the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and its functional dimensions. Two reviewers independently screened, extracted data, assessed the risk of bias (PEDro) and quality of the evidence (GRADE).

Results: Six randomized controlled trials (pooled n=174) were included in the meta-analysis. NMES combined with other therapies presented medium effect size to improve gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy in comparison with conventional physical therapy or neurodevelopmental therapy. Our sensitivity analysis showed that NMES combined with other therapies was effective to improve GMFM-sitting and standing dimensions but not GMFM-walking dimension.

Conclusion: Low-quality evidence suggests that NMES may be used as adjuvant therapy to improve sitting and standing dimensions of GMFM in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

Keywords: Child; Electrical stimulation; Physical therapy modalities; Rehabilitation; Systematic review.