Assessing the effectiveness of EMG-biofeedback on an isometric strengthening program in individuals with multiple sclerosis

• Published in: Multiple sclerosis and related disorders 2025-01, Vol.93, p.106193, Article 106193
• Main Authors: Miri, Mahdi, Tahami, Ehsan, Veisi, Gelareh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: EMG-biofeedback; Multiple sclerosis; Pain; Strength
• ISSN: 2211-0348; 2211-0356; 2211-0356
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.106193

•EMG-BF improves strength, reduces pain, and enhances knee function in MS patients.•Combining EMG-BF with isometric workouts gives better results than exercise alone.•Patients adjust muscle tension using real-time auditory or visual EMG feedback.•Study shows significant gains after 6 weeks, with peak improvements at 12 weeks.•More research is needed to confirm long-term effects of EMG-BF in MS rehabilitation. The purpose of this randomized controlled experiment was to assess the efficacy of electromyographic biofeedback as an adjunct treatment to isometric exercise in MS patients. 20 patients took part in the research. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: biofeedback (n = 10) or control (n = 10). Over a period of six weeks, participants followed their individual workout plans five days a week. The control group just received an exercise program, whereas the biofeedback group received an electromyographic biofeedback-guided isometric exercise program. The study's endpoints included quadriceps strength, functional impairment, and pain. At baseline, Week 2, Week 4, Week 6, and at a follow-up at Week 12, measurements were obtained. In between-group comparisons, the pain intensity, maximal isometric quadriceps strength and functional disability in the biofeedback group was substantially larger than that of the control group at the end of the sixth week (p < 0.05). For MS patients with quadriceps muscle problems, adding electromyographic biofeedback (EMG-BF) to a 6-week isometric exercise program showed to boost quadriceps muscle strength more than the exercise program alone. The findings, however, should be taken with care owing to research design constraints.