Is NMES Treatment in Sepsis/ Septic Shock Patients Protective in Development of ICU-AW?

Background: Sarcopenia (muscle weakness) characterized by a decrease in muscle mass, strength and performance is a condition that increases with old age. Sarcopenia can be seen in 5-13% of patients hospitalized in ICU where various treatment methods are used to prevent this weakness, the rate increases in patients with sepsis/ septic shock. Muscle treatment methods are used to prevent sarcopenia in similar patients hospitalized in ICU. It is predicted that "neuromuscular electrical stimulator-NMES" treatment may increase muscle mass and strength in patients who's can not be exercised actively. In this study, the contribution of NMES treatment to prevent the development of muscle weakness in patients with a diagnosis of sepsis/ septic shock followed in intensive care units (ICU) was evaluated. Patients and methods: In our single-center, prospective clinical study, 80 patients with a diagnosis of sepsis/ septic shock who were hospitalized in ICU were included. The effects of NMES and muscle strengthening and standard physiotherapy exercises on the development of ICU-AW were observed. The day when our patients were diagnosed with sepsis was recorded as the first day of the study. Anthropometric and ultrasonographic measurements of bilateral biceps brachii and bilateral rectus femoris muscles were recorded on the following days i.e. 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Sarcopenia was defined by anthropometric and ultrasonographic measurement, and all patient outcome data were recorded.