Effects of early post-transplant belt electrode skeletal muscle electrical stimulation therapy on an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient: A case study

Abstract

 Decline in physical function in the early stages after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a major problem, and it is important to investigate new rehabilitation methods that can control physical function decline. Belt electrode skeletal muscle electrical stimulation (B-SES) was initiated soon after transplantation in a 49-year-old man. It was possible to introduce B-SES 4 weeks post transplantation without any adverse events, such as infection or internal bleeding. Although the amount of physical activity decreased in the early post-transplant period due to hemorrhagic cystitis, the B-SES implementation rate was 92%. Furthermore, the change in knee extensor strength during the transplant period was 0.37 Nm/kg, which was less than the change we had previously reported before the introduction of B-SES. We believe that the introduction of B-SES in the early post-transplant period may be a new rehabilitation strategy for controlling muscle weakness.