The Effect of Early Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Early Mobilization on Preventing the Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Weakness in Lung Cancer Resection Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction The aim of this research is to examine the impact of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and early mobilization (EM) on preventing the intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) in lung cancer resection patients. Methods This was a single-center, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomized into NMES, EM, and control groups. The main outcome measure was the occurrence of ICU-AW, with secondary outcomes encompassing differences in handgrip strength, duration of stay in the ICU, and overall hospital length of stay across the groups. Results Both interventions demonstrated significant reductions in ICU-AW incidence compared with the control group. The EM group had odds ratios of 0.10 (95% CI 0.03 - 0.31) at 2 days post-admission and 0.07 (95% CI 0.02 - 0.26) at ICU discharge, while the NMES group showed comparable reductions (OR 0.07; 95% CI 0.02 - 0.23 and OR 0.02; 95% CI 0.00 - 0.18, respectively). No significant between-intervention differences were observed. Compared with the control group, both intervention groups showed significantly greater handgrip strength at two days after ICU admission and at ICU discharge (P 0.05). Conclusions EM and NMES each play a significant role in the reduction of ICU-AW incidence, enhance the handgrip strength of both upper limbs, but do not reduce ICU or hospital length of stay in lung cancer resection patients.