Facilitating Functional Independence in Patients Receiving Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation

Facilitating Functional Independence in Patients Receiving Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation

The primary aim of this proposal is to test the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in improving functional status and muscle function in patients receiving prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Duration of mechanical ventilation >14 days
• Sufficiently awake
• Able to speak and comprehend English
• Willingness to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cardiopulmonary Instability
• Acute-onset neuromuscular disease
• Lower-extremity amputee or paresis
• Open wound at electrode application points
• Pitting edema grade ≥3
• Presence of pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, or ventricular-assist device
• inability to transfer from sitting to standing before critical illness