Zapping muscles to free patients from breathing machines

This study tested whether gentle electrical stimulation of breathing muscles could help patients who have been on a ventilator for at least 3 weeks breathe on their own faster and more successfully. Researchers compared different stimulation methods (targeting the diaphragm or abdominal muscles) against standard intensive care with a fake stimulation. The goal was to improve the process of 'weaning' patients off the ventilator, potentially reducing hospital time and costs.