Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) Preserves Muscle Mass in Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Effects of Low- and Medium-frequency Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Skeletal Muscle Atrophy in Critically Ill Patients

Background: Low-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) attenuates the loss of muscle mass of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. However, it has been shown that medium-frequency NMES may be better than low-frequency for the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass in healthy subjects.

Objective: to compare the effects of low-frequency and medium-frequency NMES, along with a standard physical therapy (SPT) programme, on the attenuation of skeletal muscle atrophy in critically ill patients.

Methods: Fifty-four critically ill patients admitted into intensive care unit (ICU) and on mechanical ventilation (MV) participated in this randomized, single-blinded, experimental study. Participants were allocated to one of the following groups: Control Group (CG), received a standard lower limb physical therapy (SPT) programme, 2x/day; Low-frequency NMES Group (LFG), received lower limb SPT+NMES at 100 Hz, 2x/day; and Medium-frequency NMES Group (MFG), received lower limb SPT+NMES at 100 Hz and carrier frequency of 2500 Hz, 2x/day. The primary outcome was the thickness and quality of the quadriceps muscle, evaluated with ultrasonography while patients were in ICU. Secondary outcomes, assessed at various stages of recovery, were strength, functionality, independence for activities of daily living, quality of life, and total days hospitalized.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Critical Illness; Muscle Atrophy; Physical Disability
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Patients received the standard physical therapy (SPT) programme (passive mobilization) twice a day.; Other: Patients received the low-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES); Other: Patients received the medium-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)

Detailed Description

Background: Low-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) attenuates the loss of muscle mass of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. However, it has been shown that medium-frequency NMES may be better than low-frequency for the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass in healthy subjects.

Research question: The research question was is medium-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) more effective than low-frequency NMES for the attenuation of skeletal muscle atrophy in critically ill patients?

Objective: To compare the effects of low-frequency and medium-frequency NMES, along with a standard physical therapy (SPT) programme, on the attenuation of skeletal muscle atrophy in critically ill patients.

Methods: Fifty-four critically ill patients admitted into intensive care unit (ICU) and on mechanical ventilation (MV) participated in this randomized, single-blinded, experimental study. Participants were allocated to one of the following groups: Control Group (CG), received a standard lower limb physical therapy (SPT) programme, 2x/day; Low-frequency NMES Group (LFG), received lower limb SPT+NMES at 100 Hz, 2x/day; and Medium-frequency NMES Group (MFG), received lower limb SPT+NMES at 100 Hz and carrier frequency of 2500 Hz, 2x/day. The primary outcome was the thickness and quality of the quadriceps muscle, evaluated with ultrasonography while patients were in ICU. Secondary outcomes, assessed at various stages of recovery, were muscle strength (MRC-SS), handgrip strength (dynamometry), functional status (FSS-ICU), degree of independence for activities of daily living (Barthel Index), functional mobility and dynamic balance (Timed Up and Go Test), quality of life (SF-36), and total days hospitalized.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 54
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Chile
  • Temuco, Chile, 4780000
    • Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 80 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

- patients between 18-80 years old admitted in ICU with requirement of mechanical ventilation (MV) for longer than 72 h.

Exclusion Criteria:

• non-sedated patients;
• spinal cord injury;
• cerebrovascular accident;
• patients with pacemakers;
• history of deep vein thrombosis;
• pregnancy;
• cardiac complications (history of myocardial infarction or congenital diseases);
• use of neuromuscular blockers;
• polytraumatized patients requiring tutor support.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Other: Control group; Patients received the standard physical therapy (SPT) programme only (passive mobilization) twice a day.	Other: Patients received the standard physical therapy (SPT) programme (passive mobilization) twice a day.; All participants have received standard physical therapy (SPT) sessions based on a passive range of motion mobilization protocol for the lower limbs. It consisted of a bilateral series of 10 repetitions of hip flexion, knee flexion and extension, and ankle flexion and extension. The procedure was performed twice a day: a morning (between 8am - 12pm) and an afternoon session (between 2pm - 6pm).
Experimental: Low-frequency NMES group; Patients submitted to low-frequency NMES and SPT twice a day.	Other: Patients received the standard physical therapy (SPT) programme (passive mobilization) twice a day.; All participants have received standard physical therapy (SPT) sessions based on a passive range of motion mobilization protocol for the lower limbs. It consisted of a bilateral series of 10 repetitions of hip flexion, knee flexion and extension, and ankle flexion and extension. The procedure was performed twice a day: a morning (between 8am - 12pm) and an afternoon session (between 2pm - 6pm).; Other: Patients received the low-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES); Electrical stimulation was performed twice a day after SPT. Two electrodes were attached to each thigh at the motor points of the quadriceps muscle. The point halfway between the anterior superior iliac spine and the base of the patella was used as reference and electrodes were placed 15 cm apart each other, 5 cm proximal and 10 cm distal from the reference point. After the first measurement, semi-permanent markers were used to indicate the position of electrodes. Electrical stimulation was performed using a 4-channels device (Sonopuls 492, series 4, Enraf-Nonius®, Rotterdam, Netherlands). The low-frequency protocol consisted of 100 Hz and 400 ms width pulses, delivered in trains of 5 s ON (ramp-up time: 1 s, plateau: 3 s, ramp-down time: 1 s) and 10 s OFF. Sessions had 20 min of duration (total of 40 min/day) and the current amplitude (mA) was adjusted to the identification of visible and palpable contractions and was rectified every 3 min to sustain the initial level of contraction.
Experimental: Medium-frequency NMES group; Patients submitted to medium-frequency NMES and SPT twice a day.	Other: Patients received the standard physical therapy (SPT) programme (passive mobilization) twice a day.; All participants have received standard physical therapy (SPT) sessions based on a passive range of motion mobilization protocol for the lower limbs. It consisted of a bilateral series of 10 repetitions of hip flexion, knee flexion and extension, and ankle flexion and extension. The procedure was performed twice a day: a morning (between 8am - 12pm) and an afternoon session (between 2pm - 6pm).; Other: Patients received the medium-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES); Electrical stimulation was performed twice a day after SPT. Two electrodes were attached to each thigh at the motor points of the quadriceps muscle. The point halfway between the anterior superior iliac spine and the base of the patella was used as reference and electrodes were placed 15 cm apart each other, 5 cm proximal and 10 cm distal from the reference point. After the first measurement, semi-permanent markers were used to indicate the position of electrodes. Electrical stimulation was performed using a 4-channels device (Sonopuls 492, series 4, Enraf-Nonius®, Rotterdam, Netherlands).The medium-frequency protocol had similar parameters, but a carrier frequency of 2500 Hz and burst frequency of 100 Hz. Sessions had 20 min of duration (total of 40 min/day) and the current amplitude (mA) was adjusted to the identification of visible and palpable contractions and was rectified every 3 min to sustain the initial level of contraction.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in thickness of the quadriceps muscle, evaluated with ultrasonography while patients were in intensive critical unit (ICU).	Thickness of the quadriceps muscle via ultrasonography (mm).	Day 1, Day 5, Day 9
Change in quality of the quadriceps muscle, evaluated with ultrasonography while patients were in intensive critical unit (ICU).	Quality of the quadriceps muscle via ultrasonography by Heckmatt's rating scale. Muscle quality was estimated by Heckmatt's rating scale, which scores the ultrasound images between 1-4: 1) normal echogenicity; 2) slight increase in muscle echogenicity and normal bone reflection; 3) moderate increase in muscle echogenicity and reduced bone reflection; 4) large increase in muscle echogenicity and no bone reflection.	Day 1, Day 5, Day 9

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Clinical assessment of muscle strength while patients were in intensive care unit (ICU).	Clinical assessment of muscle strength via Medical Research Council-Sum Score (MRC-SS) (points), which ranges from 0 (complete paralysis) to 60 (normal strength).	Day 9, Day 11, Day 16, and Day 27
Change in Handgrip strength while patients were in hospital stay.	Handgrip strength via digital dynamometer (kg).	Day 9, Day 11, Day 16, and Day 27
Change in Functional status while patients were in Intensive Care unit (ICU).	Functional status via Functional Status Score for the Intensive Care Unit (FSS-ICU) (points). FSS-]ICU FSS-ICU score has a range of 0-35 with higher score indicating better functional status.	Day 9, Day 11, Day 16, and Day 27
Change in dynamic balance while patients were in hospital stay.	Dynamic balance via Timed Up and Go Test (seconds).	Day 16, and Day 27
Change in independence for activities of daily living while patients were in hospital stay.	Independence for activities of daily living via Barthel index (points). A patient scoring 0 points would be dependent in all assessed activities of daily living, whereas a score of 100 would reflect independence in these activities.	Day 16, and Day 27
Change in quality of life prior to hospital discharge.	Quality of life via Short Form 36 (SF-36) (points). The score go from 0 to 100. Higher scores mean a better outcome.	Day 27

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in days spent in Mechanical Ventilation.	Number of days spent in Mechanical Ventilation use.	Through mechanical ventilation use completion, an average of 9 days
Change in days spent in Intensive Care Unit.	Number of days spent in Intensive Care Unit stay.	Through Intensive Care Unit stay completion, an average of 11 days
Change in days spent in the hospital.	Number of days spent in hospital stay.	Through hospital stay completion, an average of 27 days

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Gabriel Nasri Marzuca-Nassr
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Gabriel N Marzuca-Nassr,, PT, MSc, PhD, Universidad de La Frontera

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 1, 2019
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 31, 2020
• Study Completion (Actual): January 31, 2020

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 19, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 9, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): March 18, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 18, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 9, 2022
• Last Verified: March 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: intensive care unit; physical therapy; critically ill patient; electrical stimulation therapy; skeletal muscle atrophy
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Disease Attributes; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Muscular Atrophy; Critical Illness; Atrophy
• Other Study ID Numbers: Tesis UFRO #1676

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: Undecided

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No