Could a simple electrical zap help ventilator patients walk again sooner?

NCT ID NCT07188350

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

Summary

This study tests whether adding neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to standard physical therapy helps ICU patients on breathing machines recover muscle strength. About 150 adults will be randomly assigned to get either physical therapy alone or physical therapy plus NMES on their legs. The main goal is to see if NMES improves muscle strength by the time they leave the ICU.

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 offer a simple way to help critically ill patients regain muscle strength faster and reduce long-term weakness.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage trial (150 participants) testing a device, so results may not apply broadly. The added benefit over standard therapy may be small or absent.

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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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Critical Illness

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Hospital Moinhos de Vento

    RECRUITING

    Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90035-902, Brazil

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••