Cirrhosis causes systemic and metabolic changes that culminate in various
complications, such as compromised pulmonary function, ascites, hepatic
encephalopathy, weight loss, and muscle weakness with significant physical
function limitations. Our aim is to evaluate the effects of training with
neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the muscular and functional
capacity of patients with cirrhosis classified as Child-Pugh B and C. A total of
72 patients diagnosed with cirrhosis will be recruited and randomized to perform
an NMES protocol for 50 minutes, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. The evaluations
will be performed at the beginning and after 12 sessions, and patients will be
submitted to a pulmonary function test, an ultrasound evaluation of the rectus
femoris, an evaluation of peripheral muscle strength, a submaximal exercise
capacity test associated with an evaluation of peripheral tissue oxygenation, a
quality of life evaluation, and orientation about monitoring daily physical
activities. The evaluators and patients will be blinded to the allocation of the
groups. Training Group will be treated with the following parameters: frequency
of 50 Hz, pulse width of 400 μs, rise and fall times of 2 s, and on:off 1:1;
Sham Group: 5 Hz, 100 μs, on:off 1:3. The data will be analyzed using the
principles of the intention to treat. This study provides health professionals
with information on the benefits of this intervention. In this way, we believe
that the results of this study could stimulate the use of NMES as a way of
rehabilitating patients with more severe cirrhosis, with the objective of
improving these patients’ functional independence.