Does neuromuscular electrical stimulation training of the lower limb have functional effects on the elderly?: A systematic review

Training programs either used NMES alone, or NMES associated with voluntary muscle contraction (NMES +). They either targeted calves or thigh muscles and their training length and intensity were heterogeneous but all studies noted positive effects of NMES on the elderly's functional status. Indeed, NMES efficiently improved functional and molecular muscle physiology, and, depending on the studies, could lead to better gait and balance performances especially among less active elderly. Given the association between gait, balance and the risk of falls among the elderly, future research should focus on the efficiency of NMES to reduce the high fall rate among this population.