Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Severe Edema: Relationship between the Pulse Duration and Muscle Output

Abstract

[Purpose] We compared quadriceps femoris muscle outputs when applying neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) with different pulse durations for edema. [Participants and Methods] To 2 patients with lower-limb edema due to nephrotic syndrome, NMES was applied with all parameters fixed, except for the pulse duration, which was altered to 100, 300, 500, and 1,000 μs, in this order, and current intensity, which was set at a maximum tolerable level. In both patients, the maximum tolerable current intensity and quadriceps femoris muscle output were measured. Additionally, when the muscle output was immeasurable, the presence/absence of muscle contractions was confirmed by palpitation and visual examination. The measurement was repeated once after an interval of 30 seconds or longer to adopt the maximum value. [Results] In the presence of severe edema, the muscles contracted when applying NMES with a pulse duration of 100 μs. [Conclusion] In the early stage of intervention for edema, NMES with a pulse duration of 100 μs may be effective.