OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the effects of prehabilitation with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on muscle status and exercise capacity in patients before cardiac surgery. METHODS: Preoperative elective cardiac surgery patients were randomly assigned to the NMES group or control group. Intervention in the NMES group was 7 to 10 sessions, whereas the control group carried out breathing exercises and an educational program. The outcome measures included a six-minute walk test (6MWT) and a muscle status assessment (knee extensor strength (KES), knee flexor strength (KFS), and handgrip strength (HS)) after the course of prehabilitation. RESULTS: A total of 122 patients (NMES, n = 62; control, n = 60) completed the study. During the NMES course, no complications occurred. After the course prehabilitation KES, KFS, and 6MWT distance were significantly increased (all p < 0.001) in the NMES group compared to the control. There was no significant difference in HS before surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A short-term NMES course before cardiac surgery is feasible, safe, and effective to improve preoperative functional capacity (six-minute walk distance) and the strength of stimulated muscles.

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