OBJECTIVE: The goal of this systematic review was to provide guidelines for treatment parameters regarding electrical stimulation by investigating its efficacy in improving muscle strength and decreasing pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis. DESIGN: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses standard, three electronic databases (CINAHL, PubMed, and PEDro) and gray literature were used. Randomized control trials comparing electrical stimulation and conservative physical therapy were critically appraised using the 2005 University of Oxford standard. RESULTS: Nine randomized control trials were included in our review. First, our review confirmed that neuromuscular electrical stimulation is the most effective electrical stimulation treatment in the management of knee OA, and its efficiency is higher when combined with a strengthening program. Second, frequency of at least 50 Hz and no more than 75 Hz with a pulse duration between 200 and 400 mus and a treatment duration of 20 mins is necessary for successful treatment. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, our review provides standardized clinical treatment parameters for neuromuscular electrical stimulation to be included in a strengthening program for the adult patient with knee OA.

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