Functional Inspiratory Versus Expiratory Muscle Electrical Stimulation on Weaning Outcomes in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

NCT ID: NCT07204821

Last Updated: 2026-01-02

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

48 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2026-01-01

Study Completion Date

2026-03-01

Brief Summary

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The Goal of This Clinical Trail is

* To find out the difference in the effect of inspiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation and expiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation on weaning outcomes mechanically ventilated patients.
* To investigate the effect of inspiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation and expiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation on Laboratory investigation (Arterial Blood Gases).
* To investigate the effect of inspiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation and expiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation on Sonar parameters (Diaphragmatic excursion, Diaphragmatic muscle fractional thickness in the end of inspiration and the end of expiration and abdominal muscles wall thickness). To evaluate the effect of inspiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation and expiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation on (ICU length of stay and Spontaneous Breathing Trail (SBT)).

Detailed Description

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Type of Study: This study will be randomized clinical trial. Study Procedures: 100 mechanically ventilated both sexes patients will be recruited in this study from intensive care unit, Beni-Suef University Hospital, their ages range from 45 to 65 years.

The selected patients will be all mechanically ventilated due to respiratory failure and randomly Participants will be randomly assigned to the three study groups and one control group . We will prepare (100) identical envelops, (25) of them will be filled with a label identifying Group (A) with all instruction details, while the second (25) will be filled with a label identifying the Group (B), the third (25) will be filled with a label identifying the Group (C), the last (25) will be filled with a label identifying the Group (D). All envelops will be prepared by the investigator and sealed before starting enrollment:

1. Study group (A) include mechanically ventilated patients will receive Inspiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation along with Early rehabilitation program plus medical treatment.
2. Study group (B) include mechanically ventilated patients will receive Expiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation along with Early rehabilitation program plus medical treatment.
3. Study group (C) include mechanically ventilated patients will receive Inspiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation and Expiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation along with Early rehabilitation program plus medical treatment.
4. Control group (D) include mechanically ventilated patients will receive early rehabilitation program plus medical treatment.

A) Measurement procedures:

1. ICU length of stay: The number of days from ICU admission to ICU discharges
2. Monitoring :

* Mode of ventilation parameters:

i) Fiao2 ii) PEEP iii) Tidal Volume iv) Respiratory Rate v) Maximum Respiratory Pressure
* The Duration and Type of Weaning:

The Classification of patients according to the weaning process: Classification of patients according to the difficulty and length of the weaning process into 3 Groups: 1- Simple weaning Patients who proceed from initiation of weaning to successful extubation on the first attempt without difficulty 2- Difficult weaning Patients who fail initial weaning and require up to three SBT or as long as 7 days from the first SBT to achieve successful weaning 3- Prolonged weaning Patients who fail at least three weaning attempts or require 7 days of weaning after the first SBT
3. Laboratory investigation :

Arterial Blood Gases (ABG): ABG may show hypoxemia that increased oxygen supplementation and hypercapnia. The analysis will be used as initial evaluation 10 minutes before the session and final evaluation 20 minutes after the end of the session. The samples will be drawn from radial artery with a preheparinized syringe. All the samples will be analyzed for: pH, PaO2, SaO2, PaCO2, and HCO3.
4. Sonar parameters:

* Diaphragmatic excursion.
* Diaphragmatic muscle fractional thickness in the end of inspiration and the end of expiration.
* Abdominal muscles wall thickness.
5. Spontaneous Breathing Trail (SBT) Is a process that allows patients to breathe spontaneously with minimal or no ventilatory support for predefined of time (e.g. 30 min) to assess the patient readiness for extubation

Conditions

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Icu

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Group A

Inspiratory muscle FES by Flexistem Digital electrical muscle stimulator +Early rehabilitation program. The current is pulsed, biphasic, and symmetric, with Frequency of 30 hertz , Phase width of 200µs, ON time 2s: OFF time 3s. Patients will be instructed to keep their RR constant and to coordinate their breathing with the pulsing of the electrical current . Four silicone-carbon electrodes (4x4cm) were placed on the clean skin with gel. Two electrodes each will be placed above and below the right and left sides of the xiphoid process within the seventh and eighth anterior intercostal space. In addition, two electrodes each were placed on the right and left midaxillary line of the seventh and eighth anterior space Two sessions daily, each session will last for 30 minutes; the patients remained in the semi-Fowler position 30 º with the lower extremities extended and arms alongside the body

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Inspiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation by Flexistem Digital electrical muscle stimulator

Intervention Type DEVICE

The electrical current is pulsed, biphasic, and symmetric, with the Frequency of 30 hertz, Phase width of 200µs, ON time 2s: OFF time 3s. Patients will be instructed to keep their RR constant and to coordinate their breathing with the pulsing of the electrical current. The intensity of the current is the minimum necessary to obtain diaphragm muscle contraction . Four silicone-carbon electrodes (4x4cm) were placed on the clean skin with gel. 2 electrodes each will be placed above and below the right and left sides of the xiphoid process within the seventh and eighth anterior intercostal space. In addition, two electrodes each were placed on the right and left midaxillary line of the seventh and eighth anterior intercostal space Two sessions daily, each session will last for 30 minutes; the patients remained in the semi-Fowler position 30 º with the lower extremities extended and arms alongside the body

Early rehabilitation program

Intervention Type DEVICE

Rehabilitation therapy which consisted of six levels:

Level 0 turning over once every 2 h for unconscious patients with unstable vital signs level 1-2 in addition to turning over, maintaining joint range of motion to prevent muscle atrophy, and placing normal limb position for conscious patients who could sit up for at least 20 min, 2 times a day Level 3 similar to level 2, but sitting on the edge of the bed for patients who could perform upper-limb anti-gravity training Level 4 similar to level 3, but standing up or sitting in a chair for at least 20 min a day for patients who could perform lower-limb anti-gravity training Level 5 patients actively moved from the bed and walked bedside

Group B

Expiratory muscle FES by Flexistem Digital electrical muscle stimulator+Early rehabilitation program. FES is applied for 30 min, two sessions daily, until patients are weaned from mechanical ventilation, but no longer than six weeks. Stimulation will be applied during exhalation and via surface electrodes on the abdominal wall Four pairs silicone-carbon electrodes (4x9cm) were placed on the clean skin with gel, and stimulation intensity will be titrated in order to activate the external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis and Rectus abdominis muscles. settings are as follows: Frequency 30 Hz, pulse width 352 µs and a current intensity set to cause strong muscle contraction, with a maximum intensity initially set at 60 mA . Then we amend the protocol to allow a maximum intensity of 100 mA . Strong muscle contraction will verify (visible and palpable) every ten minutes throughout each FES session, and if necessary, stimulation intensity was increased.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Expiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation by Flexistem Digital electrical muscle stimulator

Intervention Type DEVICE

FES is applied for 30 min, 2 sessions daily, until patients are weaned from mechanical ventilation, but no longer than 6 weeks.Stimulation will be applied via surface electrodes on the abdominal wall Four pairs silicone-carbon electrodes (4x9cm) were placed on the clean skin with gel, and stimulation intensity will be titrated in order to activate the external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis and Rectus abdominis muscles. The patient's tolerance of expiratory muscle FES is continuously monitored;Frequency 30 Hz, pulse width 352 µs and intensity set to cause strong muscle contraction, with a maximum intensity initially set at 60 mA (tolerated intensity in healthy volunteers). Then we amend the protocol to allow a maximum intensity of 100 mA .Strong muscle contraction will verify (visible and palpable) every ten minutes throughout each FES session, and if necessary, stimulation intensity was increased.

Early rehabilitation program

Intervention Type DEVICE

Rehabilitation therapy which consisted of six levels:

Level 0 turning over once every 2 h for unconscious patients with unstable vital signs level 1-2 in addition to turning over, maintaining joint range of motion to prevent muscle atrophy, and placing normal limb position for conscious patients who could sit up for at least 20 min, 2 times a day Level 3 similar to level 2, but sitting on the edge of the bed for patients who could perform upper-limb anti-gravity training Level 4 similar to level 3, but standing up or sitting in a chair for at least 20 min a day for patients who could perform lower-limb anti-gravity training Level 5 patients actively moved from the bed and walked bedside

Group C

Inspiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation and Expiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation along with Early rehabilitation program plus medical treatment.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Inspiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation by Flexistem Digital electrical muscle stimulator

Intervention Type DEVICE

The electrical current is pulsed, biphasic, and symmetric, with the Frequency of 30 hertz, Phase width of 200µs, ON time 2s: OFF time 3s. Patients will be instructed to keep their RR constant and to coordinate their breathing with the pulsing of the electrical current. The intensity of the current is the minimum necessary to obtain diaphragm muscle contraction . Four silicone-carbon electrodes (4x4cm) were placed on the clean skin with gel. 2 electrodes each will be placed above and below the right and left sides of the xiphoid process within the seventh and eighth anterior intercostal space. In addition, two electrodes each were placed on the right and left midaxillary line of the seventh and eighth anterior intercostal space Two sessions daily, each session will last for 30 minutes; the patients remained in the semi-Fowler position 30 º with the lower extremities extended and arms alongside the body

Expiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation by Flexistem Digital electrical muscle stimulator

Intervention Type DEVICE

FES is applied for 30 min, 2 sessions daily, until patients are weaned from mechanical ventilation, but no longer than 6 weeks.Stimulation will be applied via surface electrodes on the abdominal wall Four pairs silicone-carbon electrodes (4x9cm) were placed on the clean skin with gel, and stimulation intensity will be titrated in order to activate the external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis and Rectus abdominis muscles. The patient's tolerance of expiratory muscle FES is continuously monitored;Frequency 30 Hz, pulse width 352 µs and intensity set to cause strong muscle contraction, with a maximum intensity initially set at 60 mA (tolerated intensity in healthy volunteers). Then we amend the protocol to allow a maximum intensity of 100 mA .Strong muscle contraction will verify (visible and palpable) every ten minutes throughout each FES session, and if necessary, stimulation intensity was increased.

Early rehabilitation program

Intervention Type DEVICE

Rehabilitation therapy which consisted of six levels:

Level 0 turning over once every 2 h for unconscious patients with unstable vital signs level 1-2 in addition to turning over, maintaining joint range of motion to prevent muscle atrophy, and placing normal limb position for conscious patients who could sit up for at least 20 min, 2 times a day Level 3 similar to level 2, but sitting on the edge of the bed for patients who could perform upper-limb anti-gravity training Level 4 similar to level 3, but standing up or sitting in a chair for at least 20 min a day for patients who could perform lower-limb anti-gravity training Level 5 patients actively moved from the bed and walked bedside

Group D (Control Group)

early rehabilitation program plus medical treatment

Rehabilitation therapy which consisted of six levels:

Level 0 turning over once every 2 h for unconscious patients with unstable vital signs level 1-2 in addition to turning over, maintaining joint range of motion to prevent muscle atrophy, and placing normal limb position for conscious patients who could sit up for at least 20 min, 2 times a day Level 3 similar to level 2, but sitting on the edge of the bed for patients who could perform upper-limb anti-gravity training Level 4 similar to level 3, but standing up or sitting in a chair for at least 20 min a day for patients who could perform lower-limb anti-gravity training Level 5 patients actively moved from the bed and walked bedside

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Early rehabilitation program

Intervention Type DEVICE

Rehabilitation therapy which consisted of six levels:

Level 0 turning over once every 2 h for unconscious patients with unstable vital signs level 1-2 in addition to turning over, maintaining joint range of motion to prevent muscle atrophy, and placing normal limb position for conscious patients who could sit up for at least 20 min, 2 times a day Level 3 similar to level 2, but sitting on the edge of the bed for patients who could perform upper-limb anti-gravity training Level 4 similar to level 3, but standing up or sitting in a chair for at least 20 min a day for patients who could perform lower-limb anti-gravity training Level 5 patients actively moved from the bed and walked bedside

Interventions

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Inspiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation by Flexistem Digital electrical muscle stimulator

The electrical current is pulsed, biphasic, and symmetric, with the Frequency of 30 hertz, Phase width of 200µs, ON time 2s: OFF time 3s. Patients will be instructed to keep their RR constant and to coordinate their breathing with the pulsing of the electrical current. The intensity of the current is the minimum necessary to obtain diaphragm muscle contraction . Four silicone-carbon electrodes (4x4cm) were placed on the clean skin with gel. 2 electrodes each will be placed above and below the right and left sides of the xiphoid process within the seventh and eighth anterior intercostal space. In addition, two electrodes each were placed on the right and left midaxillary line of the seventh and eighth anterior intercostal space Two sessions daily, each session will last for 30 minutes; the patients remained in the semi-Fowler position 30 º with the lower extremities extended and arms alongside the body

Intervention Type DEVICE

Expiratory muscle functional electrical stimulation by Flexistem Digital electrical muscle stimulator

FES is applied for 30 min, 2 sessions daily, until patients are weaned from mechanical ventilation, but no longer than 6 weeks.Stimulation will be applied via surface electrodes on the abdominal wall Four pairs silicone-carbon electrodes (4x9cm) were placed on the clean skin with gel, and stimulation intensity will be titrated in order to activate the external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis and Rectus abdominis muscles. The patient's tolerance of expiratory muscle FES is continuously monitored;Frequency 30 Hz, pulse width 352 µs and intensity set to cause strong muscle contraction, with a maximum intensity initially set at 60 mA (tolerated intensity in healthy volunteers). Then we amend the protocol to allow a maximum intensity of 100 mA .Strong muscle contraction will verify (visible and palpable) every ten minutes throughout each FES session, and if necessary, stimulation intensity was increased.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Early rehabilitation program

Rehabilitation therapy which consisted of six levels:

Level 0 turning over once every 2 h for unconscious patients with unstable vital signs level 1-2 in addition to turning over, maintaining joint range of motion to prevent muscle atrophy, and placing normal limb position for conscious patients who could sit up for at least 20 min, 2 times a day Level 3 similar to level 2, but sitting on the edge of the bed for patients who could perform upper-limb anti-gravity training Level 4 similar to level 3, but standing up or sitting in a chair for at least 20 min a day for patients who could perform lower-limb anti-gravity training Level 5 patients actively moved from the bed and walked bedside

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* All mechanically ventilated patients will be:
* Their ages range from 45 to 65 years.
* Their BMI is from 25-29.9kg/m2.
* Mechanically ventilated for at least 24 hours.
* They all have hypoxemic respiratory failure
* Glasgow coma score (GCS) ranged from 6 to 12.
* Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale score: -2 to +2
* Patients and their relatives had written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

* Hemodynamically unstable patients.
* Patients with rib fractures.
* Patients with implanted pacemaker.
* Obese (BMI greater than 30 kgm2).
* Tachycardia.
* Uncontrolled hypertension.
* History of neuromuscular disease at admission.
* Spinal injuries.
* Inability to trigger mechanical ventilation
* Pregnancy
* An anticipated stay on the ventilator \<72 h at the time of study
* Patients who cannot attach electrodes due to local skin damage or infection
* Patients with Severe intestinal gas accumulation, structural abnormalities, and other reasons that prevent ultrasound detection of diaphragm movement.
* Congenital myopathies or neuropathies, and contraindications for expiratory muscle FES (cardiac pacemaker, refractory epilepsy, recent (\< 4 weeks) abdominal surgery).
* Patients with unrelieved pneumothorax and restricted diaphragm movement disorders.
* Chest or diaphragm malformation
Minimum Eligible Age

45 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Beni-Suef University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Ayah Japer Muhammad Muhammad Abu-Bakr

physiotherapist

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Sherine H Mehani, Professor

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Beni-Suef University

Locations

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Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef

Cairo, , Egypt

Site Status

Countries

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Egypt

Central Contacts

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Ayah J Abu-Bakr, Master Degree

Role: CONTACT

00201070330453 ext. 00201113698639

Mahmoud I Mahmoud, Lecturer

Role: CONTACT

00201142998414

Facility Contacts

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Sherine H Mehani, Professor

Role: primary

00201003378217

Mahmoud I Mahmoud, Lecturer

Role: backup

00201142998414

Other Identifiers

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ICU

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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