Developing a system to use electrical stimulation for preventing muscle weakness in ICU patients

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This research aims to create a closed loop electrical muscle stimulation (CL-EMS) system designed specifically for use in intensive care units (ICUs) to help prevent ICU acquired weakness (ICUAW). ICUAW can develop quickly due to factors like prolonged bed rest and the effects of medications, leading to significant muscle weakness and complications. The CL-EMS system will use electrical pulses to stimulate muscles passively, allowing for early intervention even in patients who are critically ill and unable to participate in traditional rehabilitation. This approach seeks to improve patient outcomes by mitigating the effects of muscle atrophy during their ICU stay.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Health Discovery Labs LLC
  Austin, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Hassan, Oussama — Health Discovery Labs LLC
• Study coordinator: Hassan, Oussama

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• Safer automated muscle stimulation to prevent ICU-acquired weakness

  This project builds an automated muscle-stimulation device to help people in the ICU keep muscle strength and make it easier to come off mechanical ventilation.

  NIH research Health Discovery Labs LLC · Austin, United States · NIH-11182586

• Can a handheld nerve monitor detect early ICU weakness in healthy people and ICU patients

  This study tests whether a non-invasive nerve monitor (TetraGraph) can spot early signs of ICU-acquired weakness by comparing its readings with standard nerve tests in healthy volunteers and ICU patients.

  Recruiting Endeavor Health · Evanston, Illinois · NCT07699562

• MyokinE100 System: Closed Loop Electrical Muscle Stimulation to Help ICU Patients Maintain Muscle Strength

  This trial tests whether adding daily 60-minute thigh electrical muscle stimulation to standard ICU care is safe and easy for adults with sepsis or critical illness to see if it slows ICU-acquired muscle weakness.

  Recruiting at 3 sites Health Discovery Labs · Rochester, Minnesota and 2 other locations · NCT07362862

• ICU‑Recover Box 2.0: smart home monitoring for people after an ICU stay.

  This pilot tests whether a home ICU‑Recover Box with smart sensors can help people recovering from an ICU stay detect problems early and support recovery during the year after discharge.

  Recruiting Leiden University Medical Center · Leiden, South Holland · NCT07162948

• Sitting ventilated ICU patients in an armchair to improve recovery.

  This test will try sitting adults on mechanical ventilation in an armchair to see if it helps their breathing, strength, and recovery after an ICU stay.

  Recruiting at 8 sites Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans · Orléans, Centre-Val de Loire and 10 other locations · NCT06973746

• Rehabilitation of hand and arm function using virtual reality

  This study is testing if a fun virtual reality game can help improve hand and arm strength in ICU patients who have been in the hospital for a while, compared to regular rehab methods.

  Recruiting Frisius Medisch Centrum · Leeuwarden, Provincie Friesland · NCT06373341

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.