Does Electrical Stimulation Really Help People Recover Faster After Hip Fractures? Queen’s University (Canada) Reviews the Evidence

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

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

In this series, we share real scientific research from universities and hospitals around the world.
We explain it in simple language, so anyone can understand it.

At the end of every article, we include links to the original research papers.
If you like collecting studies, checking facts, or reading the full science, you can go straight to the source.

Our mission is simple:
Inspire curiosity. Encourage self-learning. Make science less scary.

Who did this research and when?

This research was conducted by scientists from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

The main researchers were:

Paul Davison
Rianne Wilkinson
Jordan Miller
Mohammad Auais

Queen’s University is a well-established public research university, known for health and rehabilitation science.

The study was published in 2022 in an international peer-reviewed journal.

Which journal published it? Why is that important?

The study was published in Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, a peer-reviewed medical journal.

Peer-reviewed means:

Other scientists checked the work
The data had to meet scientific standards
The conclusions could not be exaggerated

That makes it a trustworthy scientific source.

What is this research about?

This study reviewed all available research on using electrical stimulation after hip fracture surgery.

The researchers wanted to know:

Does electrical stimulation reduce pain?
Does it improve movement?
Does it help people recover faster?
Does it help muscles work again?

Who was studied?

The review focused on older adults who had hip fractures and had surgery.

Hip fractures are common in older people and often lead to:

Severe pain
Weak muscles
Slow walking
Long hospital stays

What research method was used?

This was a systematic review.

That means:

Researchers searched multiple medical databases
They screened hundreds of studies
Only high-quality studies were included
Results were compared carefully

A systematic review sits near the top of the scientific evidence pyramid.

What Types of Electrical Stimulation Were Studied?

Two types were reviewed:

1️⃣ Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Used mainly for pain relief

2️⃣ Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

Used to activate muscles

Both use electrical signals, but they work in different ways.

What Did the Researchers Find?

🔹 Pain Reduction (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)

Pain scores dropped by 3.3 points out of 10
Pain reduced immediately after each session
Pain stayed lower during hospital recovery
Patients used less pain medication

This is important because pain often stops people from moving after surgery.

🔹 Better Hip Movement

Hip bending improved by 25.7 degrees
Improvements happened within 10 days
Movement improved faster than pain relief

This suggests muscles and joints started working again earlier.

🔹 Faster Functional Recovery

Doctors rated recovery using a 5-point scale:

People using electrical stimulation improved by 2.2 points more
Discharge from hospital happened sooner
People moved with more confidence

🔹 Muscle Activation (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation)

Short NMES programs showed mixed results
Some early strength gains were seen at 6 weeks
Experts believe longer programs (12–16 weeks) are likely needed

This suggests duration matters, not that NMES doesn’t work.

Why Could Electrical Stimulation Be Helpful After Hip Fractures?

After hip surgery:

Muscles “switch off”
Pain blocks movement
Fear stops activity

Electrical stimulation:

Gently activates nerves or muscles
Allows movement without heavy effort
Helps people move earlier and more safely

How Might This Help EMS Device Users?

This research suggests EMS may:

Support early muscle engagement
Encourage movement when exercise is hard
Help people stay active during recovery phases

It does not replace rehabilitation, but may support it.

Original Research Information

Original Paper Title:
A systematic review of using electrical stimulation to improve clinical outcomes after hip fractures
Simplified Title:
Can Electrical Stimulation Help People Recover Faster After Hip Fractures?
Source:
Published in Physiotherapy Theory and Practice (Taylor & Francis)
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2021.1894620

You can find the original paper through the journal or academic databases

About Oriems Fit

At Oriems Fit, a 100% Australian Award-Winning Brand, we’re proud to be recognized as YEAR’S BEST for 2024 and 2025, surpassing 68,000+ nominees.

We specialize in Wide-Range Targeted Muscle Stimulation, designed to support:

Muscle engagement
Relaxation
Everyday wellness

No matter your age or mobility level, nothing should stop you from staying active.

Quick Summary Table

Area	What the Research Found
Pain	Reduced by 3.3/10 points
Hip Movement	Improved by 25.7°
Recovery Speed	Faster hospital discharge
Medication Use	Less pain medication
Muscle Strength	Mixed short-term results
Safety	No serious side effects

Let’s Talk

Did you know electrical stimulation could help people move before pain fully disappears?
Have you ever experienced slow recovery after injury?

Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

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🔍 How We Source Research Studies

At ORIEMS FIT Research Digest, every study we feature comes directly from peer-reviewed scientific journals, not social media or secondary websites.
Here’s how the process works:

Global Database Access
We search through respected scientific databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Taylor & Francis, MDPI, Frontiers, and Google Scholar — including university-hosted repositories.
Peer-Reviewed Journals Only
Each paper we select must come from recognized academic journals indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, or PubMed, ensuring the research has passed expert review.
Verification and Citation
Every article is read in full — not just the abstract — and we verify:
- the authors’ institutions (universities, hospitals, or research institutes),
- the publication year,
- and the journal’s credibility.
  We always include journal names, volume numbers, and DOI or reference links at the end of every digest.
Simplified, Not Altered
We rewrite the findings in simple, clear language — especially for readers aged 14 to 80 — but the data, results, and scientific integrity remain untouched.
Continuous Updates
Our library grows weekly with new papers from Australia, Europe, Asia, and North America, highlighting only verified studies on EMS, FES, and natural healing mechanisms.

🧠 Our Mission

To make cutting-edge science understandable for everyone — without losing the facts or exaggerating the claims.

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