Randomized, Controlled Study to Investigate the Effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) on Muscle Metabolism of Abdominal Surgical Patients

Electrical stimuli of 50 Hz (pulse width 0.25ms, 8 sec on, 4 sec off) were applied daily for 30 min, for 4 days, starting on the first postoperative day.The amplitude of the electrical stimuli in the stimulated leg was adjusted to ensure maximum tolerable muscle contraction.

Electrical stimuli of 50 Hz (pulse width 0.25ms, 8 sec on, 4 sec off) were applied daily for 30 min, for 4 days, starting on the first postoperative day. Current was increased until the patient could feel a tingling sensation but no muscle contraction was visible or palpable.