Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for patients on invasive mechanical ventilation (MOVCARE)

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized study will compare conventional physical therapy alone versus the same therapy combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in critically ill adults receiving invasive mechanical ventilation. Participants are randomly assigned to a control group receiving individualized physiotherapy or an intervention group receiving the same physiotherapy plus NMES applied to multiple lower-limb muscles once or twice daily for up to 14 days or until discharge. NMES uses rectangular electrodes on the quadriceps, tibialis anterior, hamstrings, and gastrocnemius with session timing and safety rules that postpone stimulation during clinical instability. The trial is conducted at Hospital Moinhos de Vento and includes predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure safety and assess muscle function outcomes.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients will be eligible if they are 18 years or older, are under invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and are expected to require IMV for more than 48 hours.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 35 kg/m²;
* Length of ICU stay longer than 7 ICU-free days or more than 3 continuous days of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) before enrollment;
* Known intracranial process (e.g., stroke, intracranial hypertension);
* Neuromuscular disease (e.g., Guillain-Barré syndrome, myasthenia gravis) at ICU admission;
* Inability to speak Portuguese or pre-existing cognitive impairment prior to ICU admission;
* Any condition that prevents neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) treatment or assessment of the primary outcome in both legs (e.g., skin lesions, fractures, or amputation);
* inability to transfer from bed to chair with or without assistance prior to hospital admission;
* Cardiac arrest as the cause of ICU admission or cardiac arrest before screening;
* Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) treated for less than 48 hours;
* Pregnant patients;
* Known or suspected malignancy in the legs;
* Any care limitation including a do-not-resuscitate order.

Where it's running

• Hospital Moinhos de Vento
  Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Cassiano TEIXEIRA, PhD — Hospital Moinhos de Vento
• Study coordinator: Larissa Carolina Brandão da Cunha, MSc
• Email: larissabran@yahoo.com.br
• Phone: +5551996285425

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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• Comparing two ventilation modes for ICU patients

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.