Electrical muscular stimulation on shoulder instability: is it beneficial?

Abstract Objective: The aim of the study to collect relevant studies that examined the effects of Electrical Muscular Stimulation (EMS) on Shoulder Instability. Background: The Shoulder instability is described as emerging when there are indications of shoulder laxity. The most common cause of primary shoulder dislocation in athletes is glenohumeral subluxation and dislocation. Roughly ninety-five percent of the first cases of shoulder dislocation result from an abrupt twisting motion, a forceful blow, or landing on an outstretched arm. Methods: The review was carried out by searching scientifically recognized medical databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Pedro Database, ICTRP Database and WILEY Online Library. Date restrictions were not applied. Results: The studies that were included demonstrated that patients with Functional Posterior Shoulder Instability who received NMES-enhanced physical therapy had a significantly better main outcome. At the 3-month follow-up, the frequency of instability episodes improved significantly in the NMES-enhanced physical therapy group, and shoulder subluxation was significantly lower in position-triggered ES than in passive ES. Conclusion: The posterior shoulder instability was significantly and clinically alleviated by electrical muscle stimulation. On the other hand, position-triggered electrical stimulation (ES) might be more effective than passive ES for treating poststroke shoulder subluxation.