Zapping muscles in the ICU: a simple way to stop weakness?
NCT ID NCT06409611
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can prevent muscle wasting in patients on mechanical ventilators in the ICU. 22 adults were split into a control group and an NMES group, receiving stimulation sessions for at least 7 days. Researchers used ultrasound to measure muscle changes like thickness and quality.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) device
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple way to prevent muscle weakness in ICU patients on breathing machines.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early study (22 people) that only measured muscle changes with ultrasound, not long-term outcomes. Results may not apply to all ICU patients.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Pedro Ernesto University Hospital
Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 20551-030, Brazil
-
State University of Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 20551-030, Brazil
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Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 20950-000, Brazil
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- New exercise method aims to help ICU patients sit up faster
- ICU patients may benefit from short bursts of bed cycling
- Can getting kids moving sooner in the ICU shorten their time on a ventilator?
- Video games and VR could help ICU patients fight muscle weakness
- ICU physiotherapy under the microscope: can we measure its true cost?
- Vibration or electrical stimulation: which better fights ICU muscle loss?