University Hospital Study from Romania Asked This Question**

ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST – INTRODUCTION

This article is part of the ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST series.

In this series, we regularly explore real university research about electrical muscle stimulation and explain it in simple, human language.

Our goal is not to give medical advice.
Our goal is to spark curiosity.

At the end of every Research Digest, you will find links to the original scientific study, so you can:

• Read the full paper

• Download the PDF

• Do your own fact-checking

• Start your own research journey

If you ever disagree with our explanation, simply skip it and read the original research directly.

WHO DID THIS RESEARCH — AND WHEN?

This study was published in 2018 in the
Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, a peer-reviewed medical journal.

The research was conducted by university hospital researchers in Romania, including:

• Departments of Biomedical Sciences

• Departments of Neurology

• University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, Iași, Romania

These researchers work in clinical rehabilitation and neurology, treating real patients every day.

The study was supported by a university research grant, not by a device company.

WHAT WAS THIS RESEARCH ABOUT?

The researchers studied people with sciatica-related foot drop.

Foot drop happens when the muscles that lift the front of the foot become weak.
It often appears after sciatic nerve compression, usually from a lumbar disc herniation.

Even after surgery removes the nerve pressure, muscle control does not always return.

The researchers asked a simple question:

Can electrical muscle stimulation help muscles and movement recover after sciatic nerve damage?

WHO WAS STUDIED?

• 50 adult patients

• All had sciatica-related foot drop

• All had already undergone surgery to relieve nerve compression

• All still had muscle weakness and walking difficulty

These were not fresh injuries.
These were people already struggling with recovery.

WHICH METHOD WAS USED?

All patients used Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) during walking.

They were divided into two groups:

Group 1 – EMG-Triggered FES

• Stimulation activated only when the patient tried to move

• Required active muscle effort

• Electrical stimulation supported their own muscle signal

Group 2 – Switch-Triggered FES

• Stimulation activated automatically by a heel sensor

• No muscle effort needed to trigger it

• More passive assistance

Both groups used stimulation:

• 30 minutes per day

• 5 days per week

• For 4 weeks

WHAT DID THE RESEARCHERS FIND? (POSITIVE FINDINGS ONLY)

1. Muscle Signal Strength Improved

Researchers measured muscle electrical response (CMAP).

• Both groups improved

• EMG-triggered group improved more

• Indicates better muscle-nerve reconnection

2. Muscle Strength Increased

Using objective muscle force testing:

• EMG-triggered group gained ~41% strength

• Switch-triggered group gained ~26% strength

Stronger muscles mean better control, not just movement.

3. Walking and Daily Function Improved

Researchers used the Oswestry Disability Index, a standard movement-function questionnaire.

• Both groups reported improvement

• EMG-triggered group improved significantly more

• People felt more confident walking and moving

4. Active Stimulation Worked Better Than Passive

The key difference was participation.

When patients had to try to move first, and stimulation helped them:

• Muscle control improved more

• Functional recovery was stronger

• Movement felt more natural

WHY COULD ELECTRICAL MUSCLE STIMULATION BE HELPFUL?

This study suggests electrical stimulation may help when:

• Muscles are weak after nerve injury

• Muscles are hard to “switch on”

• Normal exercise cannot fully activate them

Electrical stimulation helped activate muscles that people struggled to control on their own.

HOW MIGHT THIS HELP EMS USERS?

For EMS users, this research supports one idea:

Muscle activation matters more than pain scores alone.

Even when pain improves, movement may stay limited if muscles remain inactive.

EMS may help:

• Encourage muscle engagement

• Support movement retraining

• Reinforce mind-muscle connection

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STUDY INFORMATION

Original Research Title:
Effects of biofeedback versus switch-triggered functional electrical stimulation on sciatica-related foot drop

Simplified Name:
Can Electrical Muscle Stimulation Help Muscles Recover After Sciatic Nerve Damage?

Source:
Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation (Peer-Reviewed)

This is a trusted academic journal focusing on rehabilitation science.

SUMMARY TABLE

LET’S TALK

Does muscle activation feel harder than pain itself sometimes?
Have you noticed movement improving even when discomfort remains?

Leave a comment and join the discussion.

👉 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28946515/
Effects of biofeedback versus switch-triggered functional electrical stimulation on sciatica-related foot drop — J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil, 2018 PubMed

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MANDATORY DISCLAIMER

This blog post is for informational and recreational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment.
For full details, visit:
https://oriems.fit/blogs/research-digest/disclaimer