Zapping breathing muscles may speed ventilator weaning

NCT ID NCT07199036

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This completed trial tested whether electrical stimulation of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles helps patients who have been on a breathing machine for a long time to breathe on their own sooner. 300 adults who had been on a ventilator for at least 21 days received either real stimulation, sham stimulation, or both, along with standard care. The main goal was to see how many days it took to successfully wean off the ventilator.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

electrical stimulation of breathing muscles (TEDS and abFES)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could help patients who struggle to breathe on their own get off ventilators sooner, reducing complications and hospital stays.

What could go wrong

This is a completed trial, but results are not yet widely confirmed. The effect may be small or not apply to all patients. Electrical stimulation may cause discomfort or skin irritation.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University

    Beijing, Shijingshan District, 100144, China