Neuromuscular electrical stimulation in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit: a systematic review / Estimulação elétrica neuromuscular em pacientes graves em unidade de terapia intensiva: revisão sistemáticaNeuromuscular electrical stimulation in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit: a systematic review

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the outcomes enabled by the neuromuscular electric stimulation in critically ill patients in intensive care unit assisted. Methods A systematic review of the literature by means of clinical trials published between 2002 and 2012 in the databases LILACS, SciELO, MEDLINE and PEDro using the descriptors “intensive care unit”, “physical therapy”, “physiotherapy”, “electric stimulation” and “randomized controlled trials”. Results We included four trials. The sample size varied between 8 to 33 individuals of both genders, with ages ranging between 52 and 79 years, undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation. Of the articles analyzed, three showed significant benefits of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in critically ill patients, such as improvement in peripheral muscle strength, exercise capacity, functionality, or loss of thickness of the muscle layer. Conclusion The application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation promotes a beneficial response in critically patients in intensive care. .

RESUMO

Objetivo Analisar os desfechos propiciados pela estimulação elétrica neuromuscular em pacientes graves assistidos em unidade de terapia intensiva. Métodos Revisão sistemática da literatura, por meio de ensaios clínicos publicados entre 2002 e 2012 nas bases de dados LILACS, SciELO, MedLine e PEDro, usando os descritores “intensive care unit”, “physical therapy”, “physiotherapy”, “electric stimulation” e “randomized controlled trials”. Resultados Foram incluídos quatro ensaios clínicos. O tamanho amostral variou entre 8 a 33 sujeitos, de ambos os gêneros, com média de idade variando entre 52 e 79 anos, submetidos à ventilação mecânica invasiva. Dos artigos analisados, três indicaram benefícios significativos da estimulação elétrica neuromuscular em pacientes graves, como melhora na força muscular periférica, capacidade de exercício, funcionalidade ou espessura de perda da camada muscular. Conclusão A aplicação de estimulação elétrica neuromuscular promove uma resposta benéfica em pacientes graves em terapia intensiva. Objective To analyze the outcomes enabled by the neuromuscular electric stimulation in critically ill patients in intensive care unit assisted. Methods A systematic review of the literature by means of clinical trials published between 2002 and 2012 in the databases LILACS, SciELO, MEDLINE and PEDro using the descriptors “intensive care unit”, “physical therapy”, “physiotherapy”, “electric stimulation” and “randomized controlled trials”. Results We included four trials. The sample size varied between 8 to 33 individuals of both genders, with ages ranging between 52 and 79 years, undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation. Of the articles ...