Author: Llewelyn Hails
Hails, Llewelyn, 2023 The Effects of a Single Session of Neuromodulation Therapy on Muscle Activation During Walking Early After Total Knee Replacement, Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering
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This thesis investigates a new form of therapy, known as NeuroModulation Therapy, and its influences on muscle activation during walking early post TKR. The project was conducted in partnership with Maction Pty Ltd, the developers of NMT, and their subsidiary company NeuMo Tech. Initial results suggest NMT increased quadricep activation and decreased hamstring activation during the first half of stance. During the entirety of stance, a significant reduction in Bicep Femoris muscle activation was also found. Supporting these changes, the majority of participants felt a change after NMT, with 75% feeling more confident in walking after the therapy. These findings suggest that, post NMT, participants muscle activation during walking was altered. Additionally, significant increases in knee range of motion were found post NMT compared to pre NMT. Within a single session, NMT was found to alter quadricep and hamstring activation during stance. Future research should involve a larger sample size, using NMT over a period of 6 weeks, to understand the full potential of the therapy and validate these initial findings.
Keywords: Total Knee Replacement, Total Knee Arthroplasty, Muscle Activation, Quadricep Weakness, Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition, Rehabilitation
Subject: Medical Biotechnology thesis
Thesis type: Masters
Completed: 2023
School: College of Science and Engineering
Supervisor: David Hobbs