Can Electrical Muscle Stimulation Wake Up Weak Muscles in Hip Osteoarthritis? A UK Lab Study Explains

person Savannah Martin
calendar_today Jan 15, 2026
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ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST

At Oriems Fit Research Digest, we share interesting research to spark curiosity.
We break down real studies into simple language.
At the end of every post, you’ll find links to the original research.
You can read the full paper, download the PDF, or fact-check us yourself.

Who did this research, and when?

This research was published in 2021 by scientists in the United Kingdom.

The researchers worked with:

Bournemouth University
Salisbury District Hospital
Orthopaedic Research Institute (UK)

These are respected UK research and hospital institutions.

The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning experts checked it carefully before release .

What was this research about?

The study explored Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES).
NMES is a form of electrical muscle stimulation that activates muscles, not just nerves.

The question was simple:
Can NMES safely and comfortably activate weak muscles in people with hip osteoarthritis?

Who was studied?

13 adults with moderate-to-severe hip osteoarthritis
15 healthy adults over 60 years old

People with hip osteoarthritis often avoid exercise.
Pain, fear, and stiffness make movement difficult.

How was the study done?

Participants used NMES in a lab setting for 5 minutes.

NMES was applied to:

Knee extensor muscles (front thigh)
Hip abductor muscles (side hip muscles)

Researchers checked:

Muscle contraction
Comfort levels
Pain levels
Willingness to use NMES again

What did the researchers find?

1. NMES successfully activated muscles

85% of people with hip osteoarthritis showed visible muscle contractions in knee muscles
100% of healthy adults showed muscle activation

This means NMES could “wake up” muscles without voluntary exercise.

2. Pain levels were very low

Most people reported no pain
When pain occurred, scores were 1 to 4 out of 10
No one stopped due to pain

This matters for people afraid of movement.

3. Knee muscles responded better than hip muscles

Knee muscles:

Stronger contractions
Better comfort
Easier stimulation

Hip muscles:

Harder to activate
More fatty tissue
Still tolerated

This helps guide which muscles EMS may suit best.

4. Everyone said they would use it again

100% of participants said they would consider using NMES as part of treatment.

Some even described it as:

“Useful”
“Comfortable”
“A good alternative to exercise”

Why could NMES be helpful?

People with hip osteoarthritis often avoid exercise.
NMES can activate muscles without joint loading.

This may help:

Reduce muscle weakness
Support movement confidence
Prepare people for later exercise

How might this help EMS users?

This study shows EMS can:

Activate muscles gently
Work even when movement is hard
Be tolerated by older adults

It supports EMS as a wellness and muscle-engagement tool, not medical treatment.

Study information

Original research title:
Lab-based feasibility and acceptability of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in hip osteoarthritis rehabilitation

Simplified title:
Can Electrical Muscle Stimulation Activate Weak Hip Muscles Safely?

Original study link:
https://doi.org/10.1177/2055668320980613

This study was published in the Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering, a peer-reviewed UK journal.

Summary table

Key Point	What the Study Found
Muscle activation	85–100% success in knee muscles
Pain level	Very low (0–4 /10)
Comfort	High tolerance
User acceptance	100% willing to use again
Best muscle group	Knee extensors

What do you think?

Would you feel more confident exercising if your muscles were gently activated first?
Leave a comment and share your thoughts.
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Mandatory Disclaimer

This blog post is for informational and recreational purposes only.
It does not provide medical advice.
Always consult a healthcare professional before starting new activities.
Full disclaimer:
https://oriems.fit/blogs/research-digest/disclaimer

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