Key result
Prehabilitation with neuromuscular electrical stimulation significantly increased knee extensor strength, knee flexor strength, and six-minute walk distance compared to control (all p < 0.001).
Why the study?
The study aimed to determine the effects of prehabilitation with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on muscle status and exercise capacity in patients prior to cardiac surgery.
Does prehabilitation with neuromuscular electrical stimulation improve muscle status and exercise capacity in preoperative elective cardiac surgery patients?
RCT (n=122)
Does prehabilitation with neuromuscular electrical stimulation improve muscle status and exercise capacity in preoperative elective cardiac surgery patients?
A short-term preoperative course of neuromuscular electrical stimulation is safe and effectively improves functional capacity and muscle strength in patients awaiting elective cardiac surgery.
Supports NMES prehabilitation to boost preoperative strength and capacity in cardiac surgery patients; extends RCT evidence for functional optimization.
Objective: We aimed to determine the effects of prehabilitation with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on muscle status and exercise capacity in patients before cardiac surgery. Methods: Preoperative elective cardiac surgery patients were randomly assigned to the NMES group or control group. Intervention in the NMES group was 7–10 sessions, whereas the control group carried out breathing exercises and an educational program. The outcome measures included a six-minute walk test (6MWT) and a muscle status assessment (knee extensor strength (KES), knee flexor strength (KFS), and handgrip strength (HS)) after the course of prehabilitation. Results: A total of 122 patients (NMES, n = 62; control, n = 60) completed the study. During the NMES course, no complications occurred. After the course prehabilitation KES, KFS, and 6MWT distance were significantly increased (all p < 0.001) in the NMES group compared to the control. There was no significant difference in HS before surgery. Conclusions: A short-term NMES course before cardiac surgery is feasible, safe, and effective to improve preoperative functional capacity (six-minute walk distance) and the strength of stimulated muscles.
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Сумин et al. (2023) conducted an RCT in Preoperative elective cardiac surgery (n=122). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) vs. Breathing exercises and an educational program was evaluated on Six-minute walk test (6MWT) and muscle status assessment (knee extensor strength, knee flexor strength, and handgrip strength) (p=<0.001). Prehabilitation with neuromuscular electrical stimulation significantly increased knee extensor strength, knee flexor strength, and six-minute walk distance compared to control (all p < 0.001).
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