“Respiratory muscle function after early quadriceps NMES: An exploratory randomized controlled trial”

Extract Critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) often develop severe muscle weakness because of metabolic alterations and treatment related factors, including sepsis, hyperglycemia, immobility, and use of mechanical ventilation (MV) [1]. This ICU-acquired weakness (ICUAW) affects both peripheral and respiratory muscles, with the diaphragm highly vulnerable to develop atrophy within 18–69 h of inactivity, increasing weaning time and mortality risk [2–4].