Two of the Level 1 NMES trials reported positive results and 1 of the TES trials. Only 2 studies reported a pre-study estimation of sample size and power analysis. These two studies were ONLY ones evaluated as Level 1/S with a strong quality and methodological rigor based on the AACPDM classification of levels of evidence of internal validity. (1)

The only Level 1/S NMES study (2) "failed to demonstrate any statistically or clinically significant improvements with treatment". The only Level 1/S TES study (3) demonstrated "statistically significant functional changes". This is an interesting review that really demonstrated the need for a higher quality of research design in the field of electrotherapy.

1. Butler C. (1999) American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Methodology for developing evidence tables and reviewing treatment outcomes research. www.aacpdm.org (pdf)
2. van der Linden ML, Hazlewood ME, Aitchison AM, Hillman SJ, Robb JE. (2003) Electrical stimulation of gluteus maximus in children with cerebral palsy: effects on gait characteristics and muscle strength. Dev Med Child Neurol 45:385-390
3. Steinbok P, Reiner A, Kestle JRW. (1997) Therapeutic electrical stimulation following selective posterior rhizotomy in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy: a randomized clinical trial. Dev Med Child Neurol 39:515-520

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