Safety of neuromuscular electrical stimulation among critically ill patients: systematic review.

Objective: To review the evidence on the safety of neuromuscular electrical stimulation when used in the intensive care unit.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted; a literature search was performed of the MEDLINE (via PubMed), PEDro, Cochrane CENTRAL and EMBASE databases, and a further manual search was performed among the references cited in randomized studies. Randomized clinical trials that compared neuromuscular electrical stimulation to a control or placebo group in the intensive care unit and reporting on the technique safety in the outcomes were included.

Use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation to preserve the thickness of abdominal and chest muscles of critically ill patients: A randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with conventional physical therapy on muscle thickness in critically ill patients.

Design: Double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Patients: Twenty-five patients participated in the study.

Early rehabilitation using a passive cycle ergometer on muscle morphology in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit (MoVe-ICU study): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU) are often exposed to prolonged immobilization which, in turn, plays an important role in neuromuscular complications. Exercise with a cycle ergometer is a treatment option that can be used to improve the rehabilitation of patients on mechanical ventilation (MV) in order to minimize the harmful effects of immobility.

Methods/design: A single-blind randomized controlled trial (the MoVe ICU study) will be conducted to evaluate and compare the effects of early rehabilitation using a bedside cycle ergometer with conventional physical therapy on the muscle morphology of the knee extensors and diaphragm in critical ill patients receiving MV.

Adherence to the items in a bundle for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Objective: To assess adherence to a ventilator care bundle in an intensive care unit and to determine the impact of adherence on the rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Methods: A total of 198 beds were assessed for 60 days using a checklist that consisted of the following items: bed head elevation to 30 to 45º; position of the humidifier filter; lack of fluid in the ventilator circuit; oral hygiene; cuff pressure; and physical therapy. Next, an educational lecture was delivered, and 235 beds were assessed for the following 60 days.