Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on muscle layer thickness of knee extensor muscles in intensive care unit patients: a pilot study

Published on January 1, 2010 by Gruther W, Zorn C, Paternostro-Sluga T, Quittan M, Spiss C, Kainberger F, Crevenna R, Fialka-Moser V

Key Takeaway

In long-term ICU patients, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) applied to the knee extensors for four weeks helped reverse muscle wasting, showing a 4.9% increase in muscle thickness.

Gruther W., Zorn C., Paternostro-Sluga T., Quittan M., Spiss C., Kainberger F., Crevenna R., Fialka-Moser V.. (2010). Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on muscle layer thickness of knee extensor muscles in intensive care unit patients: a pilot study. https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-0564

Read the original publication →

What this study found

This randomized, double-blind pilot study evaluated whether neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) could counteract severe muscle wasting in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Researchers randomized 33 patients into active NMES or sham-stimulation groups, delivering therapy to the knee extensors for 30 to 60 minutes, five days a week, over four weeks. Patients were stratified by their length of stay: acute (under 7 days) or long-term (over 14 days).

Using ultrasound to measure muscle layer thickness, the researchers found that only the long-term ICU patients receiving active NMES experienced a significant benefit, showing a 4.9% increase in muscle thickness. In contrast, long-term patients in the sham group continued to lose muscle, showing a 3.2% decrease. No significant changes were observed in the acute patient cohort.

Why it matters

ICU-acquired weakness and rapid muscle atrophy are major clinical hurdles that delay weaning from mechanical ventilation and prolong physical rehabilitation. For patients who are immobilized and unable to participate in active exercise, NMES offers a passive, bedside intervention to preserve or even restore quadriceps mass. This study provides early clinical evidence that targeted electrical stimulation can actively reverse muscle wasting during prolonged critical illness, offering a practical tool for early rehabilitation protocols.

Limitations

  • Small sample size: As a pilot study with only 33 patients, the findings require validation in larger, multi-center randomized controlled trials.
  • Surrogate measurements: The study focused on muscle thickness via ultrasound rather than direct functional outcomes, such as muscle strength or mobility milestones.

Continue your learning

Therapeutic apheresis: An effective strategy for a combined targeting of circulating lipoproteins, inflammatory markers, PFAS, and microplastics in cardiometabolic and neurodegenerative disease?

Therapeutic apheresis shows promise as a multi-target therapy to reduce circulating lipoproteins, inflammatory markers, and environmental toxins like PFAS and microplastics in chronic disease.
Result: Therapeutic apheresis shows promise as a multi-target therapy to reduce circulating lipoproteins, inflammatory markers, and environmental toxins like PFAS and microplastics in chronic disease.

Myostatin and markers of bone metabolism in dermatomyositis

Patients with dermatomyositis exhibit altered biochemical markers of muscle and bone metabolism alongside functional deficits, highlighting the need for targeted, multi-modal rehabilitation.
Result: Patients with dermatomyositis exhibit altered biochemical markers of muscle and bone metabolism alongside functional deficits, highlighting the need for targeted, multi-modal rehabilitation.

Bone Stress Injuries Are Associated With Differences in Bone Microarchitecture in Male Professional Soldiers

Male soldiers with tibial bone stress injuries exhibit significant deficits in bone microarchitecture, including reduced cortical density and thinner, more irregular trabecular networks.
Result: Male soldiers with tibial bone stress injuries exhibit significant deficits in bone microarchitecture, including reduced cortical density and thinner, more irregular trabecular networks.

View all studies

Start your recovery today

Contact us