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Medium-Frequency Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Critically Ill Patients Promoted Larger Functional Capacity
Pablo Guerra-Vega1, Rodrigo Guzmán1, Claudio Betancourt1
1Hospital Base San José Osorno, Osorno 1765, Chile.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|August 14, 2025
Summary
Medium-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with standard physical therapy (SPT) significantly improved functional capacity and reduced hospital stay in critically ill patients compared to low-frequency NMES.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Intensive Care Medicine
- Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
Background:
- Critically ill patients often develop ICU-acquired weakness, impacting functional capacity.
- Standard physical therapy (SPT) is crucial, but adjunct therapies may enhance recovery.
- Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a potential tool to augment rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effects of low- and medium-frequency NMES, when combined with SPT, on functional capacity in critically ill patients.
- To evaluate the impact of different NMES frequencies on muscle strength, functional status, mobility, quality of life, and hospital length of stay.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, single-blinded, experimental study involving 54 critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients.
- Participants were assigned to a control group (SPT only), low-frequency NMES + SPT, or medium-frequency NMES + SPT.
- Outcomes included muscle strength, handgrip strength, functional status, independence in daily activities, mobility, quality of life, and hospitalization duration.
Main Results:
- Both NMES groups showed improved functional capacity compared to the control group.
- Medium-frequency NMES demonstrated superior benefits in dynamic balance, independence in daily activities, and quality of life (p < 0.001).
- Medium-frequency NMES also led to greater improvements in functional status and knee extension strength, and significantly reduced total hospital stay (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Medium-frequency NMES, when combined with SPT, offers greater benefits for functional capacity recovery in critically ill patients than low-frequency NMES.
- This approach may enhance physical function and quality of life, potentially reducing hospitalization duration.
- NMES combined with SPT is a feasible and effective rehabilitation strategy for critically ill patients with ICU-acquired weakness.
