Using Physiological Markers to Assess Comfort during Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Induced Muscle Contraction in a Virtually Guided Environment: Pilot Study for a Path toward Combating ICU-Acquired Weakness
Ahmad Abou-Hamde,
Lauren Philippi,
Eric Jones,
Christian Martin,
Kingsley Wu,
Michael Kundell,
Sunita Mathur,
Alireza Sadeghian,
Maryam Davoudpour,
Jane Batt,
Adriana Ieraci,
Sharon Gabison
Affiliations
Ahmad Abou-Hamde
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, Canada
Lauren Philippi
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, Canada
Eric Jones
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, Canada
Christian Martin
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, Canada
Kingsley Wu
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, Canada
Michael Kundell
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, Canada
Sunita Mathur
School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
Alireza Sadeghian
Department of Computer Science, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
Maryam Davoudpour
Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Humber College, Toronto, ON M9W 5L7, Canada
Jane Batt
Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
Adriana Ieraci
Department of Computer Science, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
Sharon Gabison
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, Canada
We assessed the feasibility of implementing a virtually guided Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) protocol over the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle while collecting heart rate (HR), Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and quality of contraction (QoC) data. We investigated if HR, NPRS, and QoC differ ON and OFF the TA motor point and explored potential relationships between heart rate variability (HRV) and the NPRS. Twelve healthy adults participated in this cross-sectional study. Three NMES trials were delivered ON and OFF the TA motor point. HR, QoC, and NPRS data were collected. There was no significant difference in HRV ON and OFF the motor point (p > 0.05). The NPRS was significantly greater OFF the motor point (p p p > 0.05, r = −0.129). We recommend non-electrical methods of measuring muscle activity for future studies. The NPRS and QoC can be administered virtually. Time-domain HRV measures could increase the validity of the protocol. The variables should be explored further virtually to enhance the protocol before eventual ICU studies.
