The effect of upper and lower limb neuromuscular electrical stimulation on muscle strength, metabolism, and long-term outcomes in ICU admitted patients.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K17899
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 55060:Emergency medicine-related
• Research Institution: Kobe University (2021-2023); The University of Tokushima (2020)
• Principal Investigator: Nakanishi Nobuto 神戸大学, 医学部附属病院, 医員 (20793376)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 神経筋電気刺激療法 / リハビリテーション / 筋萎縮 / 社会復帰 / PICS / 超音波

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We verified whether neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy is effective for the rehabilitation of patients admitted to the ICU. First, we established an effective method for evaluating muscle atrophy using ultrasound. A controlled trial revealed that neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy is effective in preventing muscle atrophy and muscle weakness in critically ill patients, and also shortens the length of stay in the ICU. Although no method has been established to examine long-term effects, we have also established a method to evaluate long-term prognosis after discharge from the ICU. We built a system for long-term follow-up.

Free Research Field

救急医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年医療が進歩して多くの疾患が治療可能り、救命率は向上したものの、多くの患者は筋萎縮、身体機能障害が遷延して社会復帰できずに苦しんでいる。社会復帰のためには早期リハビリが重要であるものの重症が故にリハビリができない。そこで我々は無作為化比較試験を実施して神経筋電気刺激療法が重症患者に安全に使用できて、筋萎縮予防、身体機能障害の予防に有効であることを科学的に証明した。今後、今まで社会復帰できていなかった重症疾患に罹患した多くの患者が急性期から神経筋電気刺激療法を併用することで社会復帰できる可能性を示唆した。