Shoulder pain can feel endless after surgery.
What if muscle activation matters as much as movement exercises?

Welcome to another article in the Oriems Fit Research Digest series.
In this series, we share interesting scientific research in very simple language.
At the end of every post, we link the original study so readers can check the facts themselves or collect the full paper.

Our mission is simple:
inspire curiosity, self-learning, and smarter questions about health and movement.

Who did this research, and when?

This research was published in 2025 by doctors and researchers from:

• National University of Singapore – Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine

• Singapore General Hospital – Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Singapore General Hospital is one of Asia’s largest and most respected public hospitals.
The study followed PRISMA guidelines, which are the gold standard for systematic reviews.

The paper was published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Reports, a peer-reviewed medical journal.

What was this research about?

The researchers wanted to answer a simple question:

Does neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES - a niche of EMS) help people recover better after shoulder surgery?

NMES uses small electrical signals to activate muscles.
It is different from TENS, which focuses more on nerve pain signals.

Who was studied?

• 120 real patients

• All had shoulder surgery

• Some received standard rehabilitation

• Some received rehabilitation plus NMES

The researchers compared both groups.

What research method was used?

This was a systematic review and meta-analysis, meaning:

• Researchers searched Medline and Embase

• Followed strict selection rules

• Combined results from 3 randomized controlled trials

• Total patients analyzed: 120

This method is considered high-level scientific evidence.

What did the study find? (Positive findings only)

1. Shoulder pain decreased more with NMES

Pain was measured using a 10-point Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

• People using NMES had greater pain reduction

• Mean difference: –0.60 points

• This result was statistically significant

• Confidence range: –1.17 to –0.04

• P = 0.04

This means the pain improvement was unlikely due to chance.

2. Muscle activation may protect against muscle loss

One included trial showed:

• Better anterior deltoid muscle thickness

• Suggests NMES helped prevent muscle atrophy

• Especially important after weeks of limited shoulder movement

3. Movement gains were modest but present

Shoulder movement changes were measured in degrees:

• Flexion: +5.15°

• Abduction: +3.91°

• External rotation: +5.78°

These changes were small and not always statistically significant,
but they suggest NMES supports movement recovery, not replaces exercise.

Why could NMES be helpful for shoulder pain?

After shoulder surgery, people often experience:

• Pain that limits movement

• Muscle shutdown due to fear or stiffness

• Muscle wasting during immobilization

NMES may help by:

• Activating muscles when movement is difficult

• Supporting circulation

• Helping muscles “wake up” again

• Reducing pain signals indirectly

This study suggests NMES works best as an addition, not a replacement, to rehab.

How might this help EMS users today?

For people with shoulder pain or post-surgical stiffness:

• EMS may support gentle muscle engagement

• May help manage pain during recovery

• May help muscles stay active when movement is limited

This does not replace physiotherapy or medical care.
It helps explain why some people feel better muscle control before pain fully disappears.

Featured Product

Original Oriems Ultimate Kit

Enhance your fitness and relaxation routine with EMS technology trusted by over 10,000 Aussies.
Proudly chosen from 68,000+ nominees.
Voted Year’s Best two years in a row (2024 & 2025).

Click above to check availability

Disclaimer:
This product is designed for general wellness and fitness purposes only.
It is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Study information

Original paper title:
Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in postoperative shoulder rehabilitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Simplified title:
Can Electrical Muscle Stimulation Reduce Shoulder Pain After Surgery?

Source:
Journal of Orthopaedic Reports (Elsevier, open-access, peer-reviewed)

Link to Original Study: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jorep.2024.100542

Summary table

Join the discussion

Have you noticed muscle strength returning before pain fully settles?
Share your experience in the comments.

Like this research digest? Share it with your friends 🔗✨
https://bit.ly/49pryYc

Mandatory disclaimer

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