Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) protocol based on neuromuscular excitability and applied in numerous muscle groups of critical ill patients.
Materials and methods: We performed a prospective observational study using an NMES applied daily and bilaterally into 5 muscle groups in lower limbs for 3 consecutive days. The characteristics of NMES were 90 contractions per muscle, pulse width equal to chronaxie, and a pulse frequency of 100 Hz. We assessed safety with central venous oxygen saturation, serum lactate, and creatine phosphokinase measurements. To evaluate feasibility, we recorded the time spent for the entire NMES protocol and the number of NMES sessions completed.
Results: Eleven male patients finished the study. There were no significant changes observed in creatine phosphokinase from baseline up to 96 hours: 470(±270) IU/L and 455(±240) IU/L (P>.99). Central venous oxygen saturation and serum lactate had the same pattern with no significant variations (P=.23 and P=.8, respectively). The time spent during the whole procedure and the number of complete NMES sessions performed were 107±24 minutes and 84 sessions (85%), respectively.
Conclusions: We demonstrated that NMES chronaxie-based protocol is safe and feasible.
Keywords: Intensive care; Intensive care unit–acquired weakness; Muscle weakness; Neuromuscular stimulation; Rehabilitation.
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