Can Electrical Muscle Stimulation Help Injured Sciatic Nerves Regain Strength Faster? Researchers Tested This on Sciatic Nerve Injury, Published in the European Journal of Translational Myology.

person Savannah Martin
calendar_today Dec 18, 2025
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Welcome to another article from the ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST series.

In this series, we regularly share real scientific research about electrical stimulation and the human body.
Our goal is simple: spark curiosity and help you understand complex science in very simple language.

At the end of this blog, we always provide links to the original research papers.
If you love research, you can read the full study, download the PDF, and fact-check everything yourself.

If you do not like simplified explanations, you can skip ours and go straight to the original study.

Who Did This Research and When?

Who were the researchers?
This study was conducted by Farzaneh Samiee and Mohammad-Reza Zarrindast.

Where did they work?

Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran

These are large, well-established medical and engineering universities in Iran, known for neuroscience and biomedical research.

When was the study published?
2017, in the European Journal of Translational Myology.

This is a peer-reviewed scientific journal, meaning other scientists reviewed the work before publication.

What Was This Research About?

The researchers asked a very specific question:

If the sciatic nerve is injured, can electrical stimulation help it recover faster and regain strength?

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body.
When it is injured, muscles lose strength because nerve signals cannot travel properly.

The study focused on electrical stimulation applied directly to the nerve, not passive rest.

Who Was Studied?

Male mice
Their sciatic nerves were intentionally injured using a standard medical method
This created a controlled nerve injury similar to what scientists use worldwide

The mice were divided into three groups:

Injured nerve with electrical stimulation
Injured nerve without electrical stimulation
Healthy control group (no injury)

What Method Did the Researchers Use?

Electrical stimulation was applied daily for 2 weeks
Very precise settings were used:
- Frequency: 100 Hz
- Duration: 0.2 milliseconds
- Current: 15 mA
Muscle activity was measured using EMG (electromyography)

EMG allows scientists to see how strong muscle signals are.

What Did the Researchers Find?

(Positive findings only)

1. Muscle strength recovered faster with electrical stimulation

The biceps femoris muscle (a major leg muscle) regained strength much faster
By day 14, stimulated mice recovered about 81% of normal muscle strength
Mice without stimulation recovered significantly less

This shows electrical stimulation accelerated functional recovery.

2. Electrical stimulation improved nerve-to-muscle signaling

EMG signals were stronger in stimulated mice
Stronger EMG = more motor units working together
This indicates better nerve reconnection

3. Recovery happened over time, not instantly

Differences became clear after two weeks
This suggests consistency matters more than short exposure
Electrical stimulation worked as a supporting process, not a quick fix

4. No worsening of muscle sensitivity at the end of recovery

Temporary sensitivity changes occurred early
By day 14, muscle sensitivity returned to similar levels as non-stimulated mice
This suggests no long-term sensitivity problem from stimulation

Why Could EMS Be Helpful?

This study suggests electrical stimulation may help by:

Encouraging faster nerve regrowth
Improving muscle activation
Supporting nerve-muscle communication
Helping muscles stay active while nerves recover

It does not claim a cure.
It shows supportive recovery effects.

How Might This Help EMS Users?

For EMS users interested in muscle engagement and nerve-muscle signaling, this study shows:

Electrical stimulation can activate muscles even when nerve signals are weakened
Consistent use may support muscle strength maintenance
EMS may help keep muscles responsive during recovery periods

This is about supporting natural processes, not replacing them.

Research Paper Information

Original Research Title:
Effect of Electrical Stimulation on Motor Nerve Regeneration in Sciatic Nerve Ligated Mice

Simplified Title:
Can Electrical Stimulation Help Injured Sciatic Nerves Regain Strength Faster?

Source:
European Journal of Translational Myology (Peer-Reviewed)

Why This Source Is Trustworthy:

Peer-reviewed scientific journal
Conducted by university medical researchers
Uses standard nerve injury and EMG measurement techniques
Published with full methods and references

📄 Original Study PDF:
Available via the European Journal of Translational Myology

Summary Table – Study at a Glance

Category	Details
Study Type	Animal study (mice)
Nerve Studied	Sciatic nerve
Intervention	Electrical stimulation (100 Hz, 2 weeks)
Key Outcome	Faster muscle strength recovery
Muscle Recovery	~81% of normal strength by day 14
Measurement	EMG (muscle electrical activity)
Safety	No long-term sensitivity increase

🔗 PubMed – Effect of electrical stimulation on motor nerve regeneration in sciatic nerve ligated-mice (Samiee & Zarrindast, 2017):
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29118955/

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Mandatory Disclaimer

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 on our disclaimer, visit:
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