Comfort, consistency, and efficiency of garments with textile electrodes versus hydrogel electrodes for neuromuscular electrical stimulation in a randomized crossover trial

Scientific Reports, 2025 · DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-91452-8 · Published: February 20, 2025

Simple Explanation

This study compares textile electrodes integrated into garments with traditional hydrogel electrodes for neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). The goal is to see if textile electrodes can be a comfortable and effective alternative for rehabilitation. The research involved healthy participants performing knee extension exercises using both types of electrodes. Researchers measured comfort, consistency, stimulation efficiency, and electrical impedance. The study found that textile electrodes, when used with moisturizing lotion, performed similarly to hydrogel electrodes. This suggests textile electrodes could be a viable option for NMES, especially because they are washable and reusable.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

10 healthy subjects (7 males, 3 females)

Evidence Level

Level 1, Randomized Crossover Trial

Key Findings

1
No significant difference was found between textile electrodes with lotion and hydrogel electrodes in terms of comfort (burning sensation intensity and maximum tolerable intensity).
2
Temporal consistency of stimulation was similar for both electrode types, indicating that the burning sensation intensity did not change significantly over time for either.
3
Stimulation efficiency, measured by the minimum intensity needed to generate torque, was also comparable between the two electrode types.

Research Summary

This study compared textile electrodes embedded in garments to self-adhesive hydrogel electrodes for neuromuscular electrical stimulation, focusing on comfort, temporal consistency, efficiency, and electrical impedance. The findings indicate that textile electrodes, when used with moisturizing lotion, perform comparably to hydrogel electrodes in isometric knee extension exercises. The study highlights the potential of textile electrodes as a reusable and washable alternative to hydrogel electrodes for NMES applications in rehabilitation.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Applications

Textile electrodes offer a washable and reusable alternative to traditional hydrogel electrodes, potentially improving patient compliance and reducing costs in rehabilitation settings.

Wearable Technology

The integration of textile electrodes into garments facilitates the development of comfortable and practical wearable devices for neuromuscular electrical stimulation.

Customizable Stimulation

The design of the garment allows for the stimulation of various lower limb muscles, offering potential for customized rehabilitation programs.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted exclusively on healthy subjects, limiting the generalizability of the findings to individuals with neurological conditions.
2
The study protocol did not allow for blinding of participants, potentially introducing bias related to pre-existing preferences or perceptions about the electrode types.
3
The study was confined to isometric conditions, not providing insights into the performance of textile electrodes during dynamic activities.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Neurology