Key result
NMES fails to improve muscle strength, fitness, or quality of life after cardiac surgery.
Why the study?
Cardiac surgery is increasingly performed on older patients with complex procedures leading to postoperative complications that impair rehabilitation and functional outcomes, motivating evaluation of NMES effects.
Does neuromuscular electrical stimulation improve muscle proteolysis, muscle mass, strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, functional activity, and quality of life in post-cardiac surgery patients?
Population
Post-cardiac surgery patients
Comparison
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation versus no NMES or standard care
Design
Narrative review including six original articles and one systematic review
Authors
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NMES may aid anabolism without functional gains after cardiac surgery; leaves open role pending larger RCTs.
Does neuromuscular electrical stimulation improve muscle proteolysis, muscle mass, strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, functional activity, and quality of life in post-cardiac surgery patients?
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation in post-cardiac surgery patients may reduce protein degradation but does not significantly improve muscle mass, cardiorespiratory fitness, or quality of life.
Nazir et al. (2025) conducted a review in Post-cardiac surgery. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) vs. Standard care or no NMES was evaluated on Muscle proteolysis, muscle mass and strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, functional activity, and quality of life. Post-operative neuromuscular electrical stimulation stimulates protein anabolism and insignificantly improves muscle strength and mass without significantly enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness, functional activity, or quality of life in post-cardiac surgery patients.
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