Electric Muscle Stimulation for Patients With Chronic Respiratory Failure

Effect of Electric Muscle Stimulation on Patients With Chronic Respiratory Failure

Background: After mechanical ventilation, 5-20% of patients with acute respiratory failure would depend on ventilator support more than 14 days because of critical-illness weakness and their underlying diseases such as heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Hypothesis: Electric muscle stimulation(EMS) will improve their muscle strength and shorten their ventilator days.

Design: Randomized controlled trial. Adult patients with mechanical ventilation more than 14 days are eligible. EMS would be applied in experimental group 32 minutes/day on their bilateral thigh.

Randomized controlled trial involves the adult patients with invasive mechanical ventilation more than 14 days. The participants were not eligible for active rehabilitation because of drowisness or weakness(Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale for Muscle Strength≦ Grade 3).

EMS would be applied in experimental group 32 minutes/day on their bilateral thigh(quadriceps muscle).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patient required mechanical ventilation more than 14 days
• No ability for active endurance exercise because of poor consciousness or limb weakness.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women
• Limb wound/infection interfered with electric pad application
• Recent acute myocardial infarction or life-threatening arrhythmia
• Uncontrolled epilepsy
• Dying patients without attempt of ventilator weaning
• Absence of respiratory drive