Efficacy of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) on Lower Limb Mobility and Activities of Daily Living in Post-Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
In brief
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation improved post-stroke mobility and daily function in 579 patients
Across 10 randomized trials, neuromuscular electrical stimulation improved motor-function scores by 3.4 points and daily-activity scores by 13.3 points, alongside gains in balance and walking tests. The results support its use as a possible addition to rehabilitation, but the review does not establish whether these score improvements translate into meaningful everyday benefits for patients.
- Journal
- American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation (Q1)
- Published
- 23 October 2026
- Study design
- Systematic review / meta-analysis of RCTs
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1a)
- Authors
- Yunhao Feng, Chongrui Zhang, Yanbo Chang, Di Xiaoning
- PMID
- 42921866
- DOI
- 10.1097/PHM.0000000000003155
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Rehabilitation (paper of the day, 26 October 2026): Post-stroke stimulation improves mobility and daily activities
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the therapeutic efficacy of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in improving lower limb function and daily activities in post-stroke patients. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov from database inception to April 20, 2025. Meta-analysis for continuous outcomes was performed using the inverse variance method under fixed- or random-effects models according to heterogeneity. RESULTS: Ten studies (579 patients) were included. NMES significantly improved Fugl-Meyer Assessment (MD=3.40, P=0.001), ankle dorsiflexion ROM (MD=1.56, P=0.04), TUG (MD=-1.96, P=0.03), BBS (MD=10.78, P=0.005), PASS (MD=5.05, P<0.00001), and MBI (MD=13.29, P=0.02). Sensitivity analysis confirmed result robustness. CONCLUSION: NMES effectively enhances motor function and activities of daily living in post-stroke patients, and may complement standard rehabilitation.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.