Early Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Addition to Early Mobilization Improves Functional Status and Decreases Hospitalization Days of Critically Ill Patients

Abstract

To evaluate the impact of the additional use of early neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on an early mobilization (EM) protocol.DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial.

The authors reply

“…As stated in our article (2), we agree that future studies are still necessary to clarify the effects of NMES on other outcomes, define a specific group of patients that would benefit better, and assess NMES long-term outcomes.…”

“…The authors reply: W e thank Fudeyasu and Taito et al (1) for their interest in our recently published article (2) in Critical Care Medicine. The authors raise some points regarding our analyses, to which we respond below.…”

Year in Review 2022: Noteworthy Literature in Cardiothoracic Critical Care

“…37 Campos et al performed a single-center randomized controlled trial enrolling consecutive patients admitted to the ICU over an 18-month period to assess the effects of EM alone vs EM plus NMES in critically ill patients. 38 Of the 451 patients screened, 139 were randomized to early mobilization or early mobilization along with NMES. Exclusion criteria included a high risk of death within 24 hours, not intubated or on mechanical ventilation for less than 48 hours, significant lower extremity wounds precluding NMES, neurologic issues preventing assessment (seizures, suspected or confirmed brain death, etc.…”

True Effect of Additional Use of Early Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on an Early Mobilization Protocol

“…The authors reply: W e thank Fudeyasu and Taito et al (1) for their interest in our recently published article (2) in Critical Care Medicine. The authors raise some points regarding our analyses, to which we respond below.…”