What is the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and early physical activity on ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) in mechanically ventilated patients?
Electrical Muscle Stimulation Unit, a randomized controlled trial (Nurs Crit Care 2023, PMID 37984373) — of 124 patients, the ROM + NMES and NMES groups showed higher MRC scores on day 7 (50.37 and 49.77, respectively) compared to ROM (44.97) and control (41.10) groups. Scope: over 7 days, and the abstract states no limitations.
Source: Nurs Crit Care 2023, PMID 37984373 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: medium
Nurs Crit Care · 2023 · PMID 37984373 · DOI 10.1111/nicc.13010
Combining neuromuscular electrical stimulation with early physical activity can prevent ICU-acquired weakness and shorten hospital stays for mechanically ventilated patients.
The question
What is the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and early physical activity on ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) in mechanically ventilated patients?
What they tested
The study aims to evaluate if NMES and early physical activity can prevent ICU-AW and reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay in mechanically ventilated patients.
How they did it
A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted in Alexandria, Egypt. Patients were assigned to one of four groups: NMES, range of motion (ROM) exercises, combined therapy (ROM + NMES), or conventional care (control group). ICU-AW was assessed using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale over 7 days, and the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stays were recorded.
What they found
Of 124 patients, the ROM + NMES and NMES groups showed higher MRC scores on day 7 (50.37 and 49.77, respectively) compared to ROM (44.97) and control (41.10) groups. ICU-AW occurred in 0% of the ROM + NMES group, 60% of the ROM group, 13% of the NMES group, and 100% of the control group. The ROM + NMES group had a shorter mechanical ventilation duration (12.80 days) and ICU length of stay (17.43 days) compared to other groups.
| ROM + NMES | 0 | |
|---|---|---|
| NMES | 13 | |
| ROM | 60 | |
| Control | 100 |
The percentage of patients who developed ICU-acquired weakness varied significantly across the treatment groups, with the combined therapy group showing no incidence.
What it means
Daily sessions of NMES and early physical activity were well tolerated, preserved muscle strength, prevented ICU-AW, and decreased the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay.
Limitations
The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study.
Where the published abstract does not list limitations, we say so rather than inventing them. Read the full paper on PubMed before drawing conclusions.
The paper at a glance
| Title | Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on ICU-acquired weakness in mechanically ventilated patients: a randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Journal | Nurs Crit Care |
| Year | 2023 |
| PMID | 37984373 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.1111/nicc.13010 ↗ |
| Topic | Environment, air, water & exposures |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
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Electrical Muscle Stimulation Unit
In controlled trials, NMES attenuates muscle loss and weakness during disuse (leg immobilization, ICU admission, and after knee surgery) and increases quadriceps strength, with cellular studies showing preserved muscle-fiber size and contractility.
An electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) unit, also called a neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)…
Research describes the compound or intervention studied. It is not a claim about any specific product.
Molecules & mechanisms in this paper
Each of these is named in the paper’s own words above. Open the monograph for the full mechanism and its other citations.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). What is the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and early physical activity on ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) in mechanically ventilated patients? [Plain-English summary of Nurs Crit Care 2023, PMID 37984373, DOI 10.1111/nicc.13010]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37984373.html@misc{magellan_d37984373,
title = {What is the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and early physical activity on ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) in mechanically ventilated patients?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37984373.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 37984373; DOI 10.1111/nicc.13010; Nurs Crit Care 2023. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
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