Why does back pain keep returning in older adults, even after rest and gentle therapy?
What if the problem isn’t the spine itself, but muscles that no longer activate properly?
This question led researchers in the United States to test something different.
Not more massage.
Not more heat.
But electrical muscle stimulation combined with targeted muscle training.
This article is part of the ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST series, where we regularly share interesting and trustworthy research to inspire curiosity and self-learning.
At the end of every post, you’ll find links to the original research so you can explore further or fact-check everything yourself.
Who Did This Research and When?
This research was led by Dr. Gregory E. Hicks and colleagues from the
University of Delaware, Department of Physical Therapy (USA).
The study was published in the Clinical Journal of Pain, a respected peer-reviewed medical journal.
The research was funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, which supports high-quality scientific research.
What Was This Research About?
The researchers wanted to know:
Can trunk muscle training combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) help older adults with long-lasting low back pain move better over time?
Instead of focusing only on pain, they focused on physical function:
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Walking
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Standing up from a chair
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Daily movement confidence
Who Was Studied?
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64 adults
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Aged 60 to 85
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All had chronic low back pain lasting more than 3 months
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Pain was moderate or worse and present most days
These were real older adults living in the community, not athletes.
Which Method Was Used?
This was a randomized clinical trial.
Participants were split into two groups:
Group 1: Trunk Muscle Training + NMES
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Targeted trunk muscle exercises
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Electrical stimulation applied to deep lower-back muscles
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Sessions twice per week for 12 weeks
Group 2: Passive Treatment (Control Group)
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Heat
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Light ultrasound
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Massage
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Gentle stretching
Both groups spent similar time with therapists.
What Did the Researchers Find? (Positive Findings Only)
Pain
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Both groups reported pain reduction
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Pain dropped by more than 2 points on a 0–10 scale
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This is considered clinically meaningful
Movement and Function
Only the NMES + training group showed clear long-term improvements in function:
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Walking speed increased
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Standing up and moving became faster
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Daily activity confidence improved
At 6 months, after treatment had ended:
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74% of NMES participants reported meaningful functional improvement
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Compared to 57% in the passive treatment group
What Makes This Important?
Passive treatments helped pain short-term.
But functional gains faded once treatment stopped.
With NMES-augmented training, improvements:
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Continued after therapy ended
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Suggest deeper muscle activation changes, not just temporary relief
The researchers believe NMES helped activate deep trunk muscles that often stop working properly with long-term back pain.
Why Could Electrical Muscle Stimulation Be Helpful Here?
As we age:
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Fast-acting muscle fibers weaken
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Deep stabilizing muscles activate less
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Regular exercise may not fully engage them
Electrical stimulation:
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Activates muscle fibers differently than voluntary movement
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Can reach muscles people struggle to feel or control
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May support better movement patterns over time
How Might This Help EMS Users?
This study helps explain why EMS keeps appearing in movement research:
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It may support muscle engagement when exercise alone isn’t enough
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It may help maintain movement ability in people with long-lasting discomfort
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It focuses on function, not promises of cures
Research Paper Information
Original Paper Title:
Trunk Muscle Training Augmented with Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Appears to Improve Function in Older Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain
Simplified Title:
Can Electrical Muscle Stimulation Help Older Adults Move Better Despite Chronic Back Pain?
Why This Source Is Trustworthy:
Published in a peer-reviewed medical journal, funded by NIH, conducted by a major U.S. university.
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Study Summary Table
| Area Measured | Passive Treatment | NMES + Training |
|---|---|---|
| Pain Reduction | Yes | Yes |
| Walking Speed | No long-term change | Improved |
| Standing & Movement | Temporary | Continued improvement |
| Functional Confidence | Moderate | Higher at 6 months |
| Long-Term Benefit | Limited | Sustained |
🔗 Link to Original Study (PubMed)
PubMed – U.S. National Library of Medicine
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26963471/
(Peer-reviewed, indexed by PubMed, funded by NIH, published in the Clinical Journal of Pain)
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Let’s Discuss
Have you noticed that pain relief doesn’t always mean better movement?
What questions do you still have about EMS and muscle activation?
Leave a comment and join the discussion.
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.
Full disclaimer: https://oriems.fit/blogs/research-digest/disclaimer
