Effects of transcutaneous electrical diaphragmatic stimulation on respiratory function in patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Purpose: Muscle atrophy and diaphragm dysfunction are common with prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV). Electrical stimulation on peripheral muscles has been shown to be beneficial in the improvement of muscle function. This study examined the effects of transcutaneous electrical diaphragmatic stimulation (TEDS) on respiratory muscle strength and weaning outcomes in patients with PMV.

Methods: Participants on ventilation for ≥21 days were randomly assigned to TEDS (n = 29) and control (n = 30) groups. The TEDS group received muscle electrical stimulation for 30 min/session/day throughout the intervention. Pulmonary function parameters (tidal volume, respiratory rate, and rapid shallow breathing index), and respiratory muscle strength (Pimax, Pemax) were assessed. The hospitalization outcome, including weaning rate and length of stay, was followed up until discharge.

Results: After TEDS, there was a significant increase in Pemax (10 [8-20] vs. 20 [10-22] cmH₂O, P = 0.034) in the intervention group. At the end of the study, the improvement of minute volume in the TEDS group (0.64 (-0.67) was significantly higher than the control group (-0.64 (-2.5-0.78) (P = 0.008). In the control group, there was no significant difference between pre- and post-measurement of weaning parameters. There was a significant difference between groups in the weaning rate, with a higher rate in the TEDS group (90%) when compared with that in the control group (66.7%) (P =0.021).

Conclusion: TEDS was significantly associated with increased respiratory muscle strength in patients with PMV. TEDS may be useful to facilitate weaning in this population.