What does this research mean for the field?

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation significantly improves physical capacity and quality of life in patients with acute heart failure, providing a safe alternative for those unable to engage in conventional rehabilitation. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in improving physical function and quality of life in patients with acute heart failure.

June 11, 2026PeerJOpen Access

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in patients with acute heart failure

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation significantly improved 6-min walking distance (MD 69.92 m; 95% CI 32.17-107.68; p=0.0003) and quality of life in patients with acute heart failure.

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Meta-Analysis. Population: acute heart failure. Intervention: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation vs. control treatments. Primary outcome: 6-min walking distance (MD 69.92, 95% CI 32.17-107.68, p=0.0003).

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Key result

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation improves 6MWD by ~70 m and quality of life in acute HF.

MD 69.92
95% CI 32.17-107.68
P=0.0003

Why the study?

Exercise-based rehabilitation benefits chronic heart failure, but its feasibility in acute heart failure is limited, making neuromuscular electrical stimulation a potential alternative.

Does neuromuscular electrical stimulation improve physical capacity and quality of life in patients with acute heart failure?

Population

Patients with acute heart failure across 7 randomized controlled trials

Comparison

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation vs control treatments

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Authors

FYFu-An YangFar Eastern Memorial Hospital YHYu-Han HongTaipei Medical University YTYa-Ling TsengTaipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Supports NMES as a rehabilitation option in acute HF; extends chronic HF exercise benefits to this population.

Key Points

This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in improving physical function and quality of life in patients with acute heart failure.
Conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines and registered the protocol (CRD42023453116).
Searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase up to October 13, 2025, for randomized controlled trials.
Included trials compared neuromuscular electrical stimulation to control treatments in patients with acute heart failure.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation improved 6-min walking distance by a mean difference of 69.92 m (95% CI [32.17–107.68], p = 0.0003).
Quality of life increased with a standardized mean difference of 1.53 (95% CI [1.03–2.03], p < 0.00001).
Leg muscle strength showed preliminary improvement (standardized mean difference = 0.77, 95% CI [0.25–1.29], p = 0.004), while no significant change was seen in left ventricular ejection fraction (mean difference = 1.94%, 95% CI [−3.91 to 7.79], p = 0.52).

Study Design

Type

Meta-Analysis

Structured PICO

Does neuromuscular electrical stimulation improve physical capacity and quality of life in patients with acute heart failure?

Population

Meta-analysis of 7 randomized controlled trials evaluating neuromuscular electrical stimulation versus control treatments in patients with acute heart failure.

Intervention

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation

Comparator

Control treatments

Outcome

6-min walking distancesurrogate

Main Result

Mean Difference: 69.92 (95% CI 32.17–107.68)

p-value: p=0.0003

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is a safe and effective alternative to conventional rehabilitation for improving physical capacity and quality of life in patients with acute heart failure.

Limitations

Lack of large-scale, multicenter randomized controlled trials to confirm findings
Need for further large-scale, multicenter RCTs to confirm findings

Cite This Study

Yang et al. (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in acute heart failure. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation vs. control treatments was evaluated on 6-min walking distance (MD 69.92, 95% CI 32.17-107.68, p=0.0003). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation significantly improved 6-min walking distance (MD 69.92 m; 95% CI 32.17-107.68; p=0.0003) and quality of life in patients with acute heart failure.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a2a50b680c8f91e7f39d23c https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.21352

Topics

Heart failure HFrEF treatment

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A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in patients with acute heart failure

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Cite This Study

Topics

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in patients with acute heart failure

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Topics

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