BACKGROUND: Early mobilization can be employed to minimize the duration of intensive care. However, a protocol combining neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) with early mobilization has not yet been tested in ICU patients. Our aim was to assess the efficacy of NMES, exercise (EX), and combined therapy (NMES plus EX) on duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) in critically ill patients. METHODS: The participants in this randomized double-blind trial were prospectively recruited within 24 hours following admission to the intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital. Eligible patients had 18 years of age or older; MV for less than 72 hours; and no known neuromuscular disease. Computer-generated permuted block randomization was used to assign patients to NMES, EX, NMES plus EX, or standard care (control group). The main endpoint was duration of MV. Clinical characteristics were also evaluated and intention to treat analysis was employed. RESULTS: One hundred forty-four patients were assessed for eligibility to participate in the trial, 51 of whom were enrolled and randomly allocated into four groups: 11 patients in the NMES group, 13 in the EX group, 12 in the NMES plus EX group, and 15 in the control group (CG). Duration of MV (days) was significantly shorter in the combined therapy (5.7 +/- 1.1) and NMEN (9.0 +/- 7.0) groups in comparison to CG (14.8 +/- 5.4). CONCLUSIONS: NMES plus EX consisting of NMES and active EXs was well tolerated and resulted in shorter duration of MV in comparison to standard care or isolated therapy (NMES or EX alone).

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