--- title: "Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on ICU-acquired…" description: "Combining neuromuscular electrical stimulation with early physical activity can prevent ICU-acquired weakness and shorten hospital stays for mechanically…" url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37984373.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37984373.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37984373.html" type: "study" study_key: "d37984373" journal: "Nurs Crit Care" year: 2023 pmid: "37984373" doi: "10.1111/nicc.13010" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on ICU-acquired weakness in mechanically ventilated patients: a randomized controlled trial [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37984373.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d37984373 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Nurs Crit Care | | Year | 2023 | | PMID | [37984373](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37984373/) | | DOI | [10.1111/nicc.13010](https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.13010) | | Study key | d37984373 | ## Takeaway 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? ## Hypothesis 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. ## Methods 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. ## Results 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. ## Conclusion 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. ## Verbatim from the abstract > daily sessions of NMES preserved muscle strength and prevented ICU-acquired weakness ## Incidence of ICU-Acquired Weakness by Treatment Group | Measure | ICU-AW Incidence (%) | | --- | --- | | 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.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Electrical Muscle Stimulation Unit | Moderate evidence | [Electrical Muscle Stimulation Unit](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/174.md) | ## Reference 1. **Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on ICU-acquired weakness in mechanically ventilated patients: a randomized controlled trial** Nurs Crit Care 2023 · [PMID 37984373](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37984373/) · [DOI 10.1111/nicc.13010](https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.13010) > daily sessions of NMES preserved muscle strength and prevented ICU-acquired weakness ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37984373.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37984373.html","name":"Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on ICU-acquired weakness in mechanically ventilated patients:…","description":"Combining neuromuscular electrical stimulation with early physical activity can prevent ICU-acquired weakness and shorten hospital stays for mechanically…","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37984373.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37984373.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37984373.html#study","name":"Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on ICU-acquired weakness in mechanically ventilated patients: a randomized controlled trial","headline":"Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on ICU-acquired weakness in mechanically ventilated patients:…","datePublished":"2023","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Nurs Crit Care"},"identifier":"PMID:37984373","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37984373/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.13010","abstract":"Combining neuromuscular electrical stimulation with early physical activity can prevent ICU-acquired weakness and shorten hospital stays for mechanically ventilated patients."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Electrical Muscle Stimulation Unit](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/174.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Evidence: electrical muscle contraction](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s174.md) - [Neuromuscular electrical stimulation after cardiovascular surgery mitigates muscle…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d35272065.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).