BACKGROUND: Critically ill patients face a high risk of rapid muscle atrophy and deterioration in muscle biomechanical properties due to prolonged immobilization. Whole body vibration (WBV) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) have emerged as adjunctive therapies to preserve muscle structure and function. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effects of WBV and NMES on muscle biomechanical properties and muscle thickness in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: Forty-five participants were randomly assigned to groups: WBV plus conventional therapy (CT), NMES plus CT, and CT alone. All groups received 4 weeks of treatment (5 sessions/week). The WBV group received vibration therapy, while the NMES group received electrical stimulation targeting the quadriceps femoris muscles. The control group received CT only, consisting of standard rehabilitation care. Muscle biomechanical properties of the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles, together with muscle thickness of the quadriceps femoris and biceps brachii, were assessed using MyotonPRO and ultrasonography. RESULTS: Whole body vibration produced bilateral increases in muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity (all CONCLUSION: Both interventions enhanced muscle biomechanical properties and muscle thickness, with WBV demonstrating more consistent and pronounced effects. These interventions may offer clinically meaningful benefits for preserving muscle quality and morphology in patients in the ICU. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: (Identifier: NCT06872697).
Tütüneken et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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