Introduction: Quadriceps arthrogenic muscle inhibition is a protective mechanism in knee joint pathology. It describes the inability to fully activate the muscle due to the reduced input from the motor system. Long-term inhibition can become a limiting factor in rehabilitation as it may be a cause of long-term muscle weakness. One of the major disinhibitory interventions is thought to be transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, which is expected to disinhibit the quadriceps motor neuron pool excitability. Purpose: The purpose of diploma work was to determine the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on quadriceps arthrogenic muscle inhibition. Methods: We used a descriptive method with a literature review. We searched the literature in the electronic databases PubMed, PEDro, and ScienceDirect via remote access. We searched for the following keywords: »arthrogenous muscle inhibition« or »muscle inhibition« and »transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation« and »knee« or »quadriceps«. We only included articles after year 2000. Results: We included 5 studies in the analysis. In two studies, arthrogenic muscle inhibition was present due to tibiofemoral osteoarthritis, in one study due to anterior cruciate ligament rupture, and in the other two the inhibition was due to experimentally induced pain and swelling in the knee joint. Three studies measured the immediate effects of single-use TENS, and two studies measured effects of TENS in combination with exercise after several weeks of use. Four studies measured a statistically significant decrease in quadriceps arthrogenic inhibition after TENS compared to the control group. In only one study, where patients with a torn anterior cruciate ligament underwent a two-week therapy program, there was no difference in muscle inhibition compared to the control group. Discussion and conclusion: Results of a systematic review of the literature suggest that TENS is successful for reducing arthrogenic muscle inhibition in various pathologies in knee joint. TENS has positive effects on inhibition both after a single application and after a several-week therapeutic program where it is combined with therapeutic exercise. In order to achieve the best possible outcomes in the rehabilitation of patients with knee pathologies, further research should be conducted.
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