The efficacy of frequency specific microcurrent therapy on delayed onset muscle soreness

SummaryThis study compared the effects of frequency specific microcurrent (FSM) therapy versus sham therapy in delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in order to determine whether specific frequencies on two channels would produce better results than single channel single frequency microcurrent therapy which has been shown to be ineffective as compared to sham treatment in DOMS. 18 male and 17 female healthy participants (mean age 32 ± 4.2 years) were recruited. Following a 15-min treadmill warm-up and 5 sub-maximal eccentric muscle contractions, participants performed 5 sets of 15 maximal voluntary eccentric muscle contractions, with a 1-min rest between sets, on a seated leg curl machine. Post-exercise, participants had one of their legs assigned to a treatment (T) regime (20 min of frequency specific microcurrent stimulation), while the participant's other leg acted as control (NT). Soreness was rated for each leg at baseline and at 24, 48 and 72 h post-exercise on a visual analogue scale (VAS), which ranged from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain ever). No significant difference was noted at baseline p = 1.00. Post-exercise there was a significant difference at 24 h (T = 1.3 ± 1.0, NT = 5.2 ± 1.3, p = 0.0005), at 48 h (T = 1.2 ± 1.1, NT = 7.0 ± 1.1, p = 0.0005) and at 72 h (T = 0.7 ± 0.6, NT = 4.0 ± 1.6, p = 0.0005). FSM therapy provided significant protection from DOMS at all time points tested.