The Efficacy of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to Attenuate Muscle Loss

The Efficacy of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to Attenuate Skeletal Muscle Loss in ICU Patients

Subjects who are hospitalized in the ICU will be included after 24 hours of intubation during their ICU stay. Twice-daily Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) will be performed on one leg for 2x40 min per day to assess muscle fiber size. The investigators hypothesize an attenuated loss in muscle fiber size.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male
• Age between 18 and 80 years
• Expected sedated time of >24h

Exclusion Criteria:

• Spinal Cord Injury
• Arterial operaties on the legs
• Local wounds that prohibit NMES
• Chronic use of corticosteroids
• Intake of certain antithrombotic drugs
• Presence of implantable cardioverter defibrillator and/or pacemaker