Does EMS Add Real-World Movement Benefits Beyond Standard Knee Rehab? A 2022 Orthopedic Study Explores What Exercise Alone May Miss

person Savannah Martin
calendar_today Jan 20, 2026
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This article is part of the ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST series.

In this series, we explore interesting scientific studies and explain them in very simple language.

We focus on research that raises new questions, not just repeated claims.

At the end of every article, you’ll always find a link to the original research paper.
If you enjoy reading science, you can collect and review the full studies yourself.

If you prefer, you can skip our explanation and go straight to the original source.

THE CORE QUESTION OF THIS STUDY

Most knee rehabilitation research asks:

“Does exercise help knee osteoarthritis?”

That question has already been answered many times.

This study asks something different:

If someone is already doing proper knee strengthening, does adding EMS improve real-world movement even more?

That is the real focus of this research.

RESEARCH DETAILS (Q&A FORMAT)

Who did this research, and when?

This study was published in 2022.

The researchers worked at:

National Institute of Orthopedics Mohamed Kassab, Tunisia
University of Jendouba, Tunisia
University of Coimbra, Portugal

These are public orthopedic and university institutions focused on rehabilitation science.

The paper was published in The Knee, a peer-reviewed orthopedic journal by Elsevier.

Who funded the research?

The authors reported no commercial funding.

This means:

No EMS brand funded the study
No product promotion influenced the results

This increases trust in the findings.

Who was studied?

The study included:

36 women
Ages 41–63
All were overweight or obese
All had early-stage knee osteoarthritis

This group reflects real people who often struggle with daily movement.

How was the study designed?

Participants were divided into three groups:

Standard rehabilitation only
Strength training only
Strength training + neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)

All training lasted:

6 weeks
2 sessions per week

EMS was not used alone.
It was used on top of proper exercise.

WHAT REAL-WORLD MOVEMENT MEANS IN THIS STUDY

This study did not focus only on machines or lab strength.

It tested movements people do every day:

Walking 10 meters
Standing up from a chair
Climbing stairs
Standing on one leg (balance)
Quality of life related to knee function

This is what makes the study different.

FINDINGS RELATED TO EMS AS AN ADD-ON

Walking

Participants using exercise + EMS walked faster over 10 meters.

This suggests smoother and more confident movement.

Standing up from a chair

The number of sit-to-stand repetitions in 30 seconds nearly doubled.

This reflects stronger leg function used in daily life.

Climbing stairs

Time to climb 11 steps dropped significantly.

This indicates better coordination and usable leg strength.

Balance

Single-leg standing time increased from about 11 seconds to over 40 seconds.

Balance is critical for avoiding falls.

Muscle performance at real-life speeds

EMS improved knee muscle strength at higher movement speeds, not just slow contractions.

Real life is fast.
This matters more than slow, controlled lab movements.

Quality of life

Knee-related quality-of-life scores improved dramatically.

Better movement often leads to more confidence and activity.

WHY THIS STUDY IS DIFFERENT FROM MOST EMS RESEARCH

This research does not ask if EMS replaces exercise.

It asks:

Does EMS enhance the benefits of exercise that people already do?

The answer from this study suggests:

Yes, EMS may add extra functional gains
Especially for daily movement, balance, and confidence

WHY EMS COULD MATTER IN THIS CONTEXT

This study suggests EMS may:

Help activate muscles during training
Support people who already exercise but still struggle
Improve movement confidence, not just strength numbers

This is about supporting movement, not treating disease.

HOW THIS MAY BE RELEVANT TO EMS USERS

For general wellness users, this research suggests EMS:

May complement regular exercise
May support everyday movement routines
May help people stay active longer

EMS is shown here as a tool that enhances effort, not replaces it.

STUDY INFORMATION

Original research paper title:
Isokinetic strengthening and neuromuscular electrical stimulation protocol impact on physical performances, functional status and quality of life in knee osteoarthritis overweight/obese women

Simplified title:
Does Adding EMS Improve Real-World Movement Beyond Standard Knee Rehab?

Source:
Published in The Knee, a peer-reviewed orthopedic journal by Elsevier.

Peer-reviewed means:

Experts reviewed the study design
Experts checked the data
Experts evaluated the conclusions

Original study link:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.knee.2022.09.004

ABOUT ORIEMS FIT

At Oriems Fit, a 100% Australian Award-Winning Brand, we’re proud to be recognized as YEAR’S BEST for two consecutive years (2024 & 2025).

We specialize in Wide-Range Targeted Muscle Stimulators, designed to support muscle engagement, relaxation, and overall wellness.

Whether you’re very active or have limited mobility, nothing should stop you from staying engaged with movement.

SUMMARY TABLE

Focus Area	Exercise + EMS Result
Walking speed	Faster
Chair stand ability	Strong improvement
Stair climbing	Faster
Balance	Large increase
Functional muscle speed	Improved
Flexibility	Improved
Quality of life	Strong improvement

LET’S DISCUSS

If you already exercise, what movement still feels hardest?
Walking, stairs, balance, or standing up?

Leave a comment and share your experience.

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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.

Full disclaimer:
https://oriems.fit/blogs/research-digest/disclaimer