Key result
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation fails to improve walking distance or speed after cardiac valve surgery.
Why the study?
No randomized clinical trial had evaluated the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on functional capacity and quality of life in patients undergoing routine cardiac surgery with a short ICU stay.
Does neuromuscular electrical stimulation improve ambulation ability in adult patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery?
Comparison
Bilateral quadriceps and gastrocnemius NMES vs control
Design
Randomized, parallel, controlled, 2-arm assessor-blinded trial
Follow-up
Postoperative day 5
Authors
Loading...
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation provides no benefit for early ambulation after valve surgery; challenges its presumed efficacy and extends negative evidence in cardiac surgical populations.
RCT (n=59)
Single-blind
randomly assigned
Does neuromuscular electrical stimulation improve ambulation ability in adult patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery?
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation did not improve walking ability, strength, quality of life, or functional outcome in the immediate postoperative period for patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery.
Cerqueira et al. (2018) conducted an RCT in Cardiac valve surgery (n=59). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) vs. Control was evaluated on Ambulation ability assessed through the Six-Minute Walk Test and Walking Speed Test at postoperative day 5 (95% CI -64.87 to 65.97). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation had no significant effect on distance walked (95% CI, -64.87 to 65.97) or walking speed (95% CI, -0.55 to 0.57) at postoperative day 5 after cardiac valve surgery.
Synapse has enriched 4 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: