Early neuromuscular electrical stimulation reduces the loss of muscle mass in critically ill patients – A within subject randomized controlled trial

To investigate the effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) on muscle thickness, strength and morphological molecular markers quadriceps. Adult critically ill patients with an expected prolonged stay received unilateral quadriceps NMES sessions for 7 consecutive days. Before after intervention period, thickness was measured ultrasound. After assessed in cooperative biopsies were taken. Multivariable regression performed to identify factors affecting loss. Muscle decreased less stimulated leg (?6 ± 16% versus ?12 15%, p = 0.014, n 47). Strength comparable. Opioid administration, minimal contraction more loss non-stimulated independently associated better preservation. Stimulated muscles showed a shift towards larger myofibers higher MyHC-I gene expression. did not affect expression other myofibrillary proteins, MuRF-1 or atrogin-1. Signs myofiber necrosis inflammation comparable both muscles. attenuated mass, but strength, patients. Preservation mass likely receiving opioids, during prone lose mass. clinicaltrials.gov NCT02133300