Welcome to another post of our ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST blog series. Every week we uncover one more legit study.
Most outlets only repeat research approved by corporations and the wealthy — we don’t.
We explain it so simply that anyone, 14 or 70, can follow. Many studies stay hidden because they threaten profit, control, or power. Our mission is to break those walls, spotlight honest scientists, and cut the jargon so you see what really matters.
At the end, you’ll always get the original study link — to collect, download, or fact-check. Got a topic you care about? Email us, and we’ll dig up the latest hidden research with the source link included.
What did this study ask?
A group of researchers asked: If we add Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES - a niche of EMS) to regular exercise, does knee function, strength, or pain improve for people with patellofemoral pain (front-of-knee pain)?
Who did it, where, and how?
This is a systematic review and meta-analysis published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders in 2025. The team pulled randomized trials from multiple medical databases up to July 2024, checked study quality, and pooled the numbers. In total, 11 RCTs with 571 participants were included.
What did they discover (in plain words)?
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Function: When NMES was added to exercise for 6+ weeks, knee function improved more than exercise alone (statistical model favoured NMES + exercise). Think of this like climbing stairs or getting up from a chair feeling more “stable” and “able.”
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Strength: Quadriceps strength also improved with NMES + exercise over longer courses (again, 6+ weeks). That’s like being able to carry extra grocery bags or stand up from low seats more confidently
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Pain: On average, pain did not improve more than with exercise alone. So, this combo seems better for function and strength, not necessarily for pain relief.
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Evidence note: The authors rate the overall certainty as very low (because many included trials had bias or didn’t match each other well). Translation: the signal is promising for function/strength, but we need better trials to be sure
Why does this matter?
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Athletes & active people: If your front-of-knee pain holds back training, adding NMES to a structured exercise plan for 6+ weeks might help your function and quad strength — useful for returns to stairs, squats, or runs
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Busy or mobility-limited folks: NMES can “coach” muscle fibres while you follow a guided exercise plan, potentially helping you regain daily confidence (standing, walking, rising from chairs).
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Pain expectations: Keep expectations realistic — don’t expect extra pain relief beyond what good exercise gives. Consider NMES as a strength/function helper, not a pain therapy in this context.
Study Summary Table (Q&A)
| Question | Simple Answer |
|---|---|
| Who ran it? | Researchers publishing in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2025). |
| What did they pool? | 11 RCTs, 571 people with patellofemoral pain. |
| What was compared? | Exercise alone vs exercise + EMS |
| Main wins? | Better knee function and quadriceps strength after ≥6 weeks with EMS + exercise. |
| Pain relief? | No added pain benefit over exercise alone. |
| Certainty? | Very low certainty (many trials had bias/variation). |
| Big picture? | Consider EMS as a function/strength booster with a proper exercise plan, not as a pain fix. |
Original Source (collect, download, fact-check)
Abdelhamed AI, Mortada H, Hendawy A, et al. The effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on pain, function, and quadriceps muscle strength in adults with patellofemoral pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2025. DOI:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40783528/
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Disclaimer
This blog post is for informational and recreational purposes only. It is not medical advice. ORIEMS FIT does not diagnose, treat, or recommend. Research results apply only to the participants studied and may not apply to everyone. Electrical stimulation devices may not be suitable for all people. Risks can include muscle soreness, skin irritation, or discomfort if misused. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting or changing any treatment, exercise program, or device use. Reading this blog is not a substitute for professional medical care. For full details, visit:
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Join the Discussion
Have you tried adding NMES to your knee-strength plan? What changed first for you — strength, function, or pain? Comment below and tell us what helped most in daily life.
