RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Effects of electrical muscle stimulation early in the quadriceps and tibialis anterior muscle of critically ill patients
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P1322
VO 42
IS Suppl 57
A1 Marco Junior
A1 Emilia Costa
A1 Leticia Falavigna
A1 Michele Silva
A1 Amanda Freitas
A1 Priscila Silva
A1 Marçal Junior
A1 Cecölia Castro
A1 Maria Andrade
A1 Marcos Gallindo
A1 Luana Ribeiro
A1 Francimar Ramos
A1 Silvia Sarinho
A1 Flavio Andrade
A1 Eduardo França
YR 2013
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P1322.abstract
AB Background: Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) is applied to critically ill patients in order to improve their muscle strength, thereby preventing hypotrophy and promoting functional recovery. Aims and objectives: To assess the effects of early EMS in the quadriceps and anterior tibialis muscle strength and in the range of movement of the ankle joint in critical patients. Methods: This is a prospective randomized clinical trial comprising 11 patients with a good cardiovascular and respiratory status under mechanical ventilation for up to 48 hours. Before and after EMS the thigh and leg circumference in both lower limbs and the goniometry of tibiotarsal joint were measured. EMS was applied to just one side of the quadriceps and anterior tibialis muscles until the patient reached level 4 of strength on the Oxford scale. Results: Compared with the electrostimulated limb, a diferent dorsiflexion of the control limb was observed (96.2 ± 24.9 vs 119.9 ± 14.1°; p = 0.01). A reduction of the 10 cm over the lateral malleolus perimetry control limb was observed as compared to the electrostimulated one (24.7 ± 3.1 vs 26.4 ± 4.0 cm, p = 0.03). Conclusions: The use of early EMS in the quadriceps and anterior tibialis muscles was not enough to preserve muscle mass, but it can be applied as a preventive tool against the stance flexion of the ankle joint in critical patients.