Effects of 12 weeks of neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the quadriceps muscles on the function and physio-biochemical traits in functionally fit female nursing-home residents aged 75 + years: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: Muscular changes induced by neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) are well recognized, but knowledge of how NMES influences the physio-biochemical traits of the oldest old is still limited. This study investigated the effect of NMES applied for 12 weeks to the quadriceps muscles of female nursing-home residents aged 75 + on their functional capability and inflammatory, bone metabolism, and cardiovascular traits. METHODS: Nineteen women regularly taking part in two body conditioning sessions per week were randomized into an electrical stimulation group (ES; n = 10; 30 min sessions, 3 times per week) or a control group (CON; n = 9). At baseline and study week 12, all women performed the 30 s chair stand test (30sCST), the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and the instrumented timed up and go test (iTUG). Resting heart rates, blood pressure, and the blood concentrations of inflammatory and bone metabolism markers were also measured twice. RESULTS: NMES increased the strength of participants' quadriceps muscles and their performance on the 30sCST and 6MWT while lowering resting arterial blood pressure and inflammatory marker levels; osteoclast activity showed a tendency to decrease. Changes in the iTUG results were not observed. A multiple regression analysis found that the results of functional tests in the ES group were best correlated with pulse pressure (the 30sCST and iTUG tests) and diastolic blood pressure (the 6MWT test). CONCLUSION: Twelve weeks of NMES treatment improved participants' functional capacity and inflammatory, bone metabolism, and cardiovascular traits. The ES group participants' performance on functional tests was best predicted by hemodynamic parameters.

Electrical Stimulation in the Treatment of Pressure Injuries: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.

GENERAL PURPOSE: To provide information on evidence-based practice regarding the use of electrical stimulation for pressure injury management. TARGET AUDIENCE: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care. LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES: After participating in this educational activity, the participant will:1. Apply clinical practice recommendations related to the use of electrical stimulation in the treatment of pressure injuries.2. Identify issues related to the use of electrical stimulation to treat pressure injuries.

To summarize evidence regarding the use of electrical stimulation for pressure injury (PI) management with a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. The authors searched scientific databases (PubMed, EBSCO, Medline, and Elsevier) and the online resources of gray publications for studies published between January 1, 1980, and June 20, 2021, using the keywords "electrostimulation," "electrical stimulation," "pressure ulcer," "pressure injury," "bedsore," and "decubitus ulcer." The search procedure generated 342 articles. Of these, 241 were disqualified after title screening, 52 after abstract screening, and 33 after full-text review; 16 articles were included in the review. Included articles were full-text reports of randomized clinical trials involving patients with PIs that had at least two patient groups, detailed how wounds healed, and were written in English. The authors extracted information about the purpose and design of each trial, patient inclusion and exclusion criteria, research methods, statistical analysis, findings, and conclusions. Researchers applied high-voltage monophasic pulsed current (HVMPC) in 10 trials, two trials used low-voltage monophasic pulsed current, three trials tested a low-voltage biphasic pulsed current, and one trial used low-intensity direct current. The effect of HVMPC in the treatment of PIs has been most thoroughly investigated in clinical trials. The results are consistent and indicate that HVMPC (twin-peak impulse, 50­154 µs, 100 pps, 45­60 min/d) is effective in PI treatment.