NCT01936155

Does NMES Help Relieve Lower Limb Oedema and Improve Joint Mobility and Skin Tissue Oxygenation Levels?

Does Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) Help Relieve Lower Limb Oedema and Improve Joint Mobility and Skin Tissue Oxygenation Levels?

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Sponsor: National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) will be facilitated through the use of a stimulator, with the patient in a semi recumbent position, using UltraStim electrodes. Two 5 cm x 5 cm electrodes will be placed over the soleus muscle for calf stimulation. The participant will be allowed to ramp up the stimulus level themselves to get used to the sensation and determine their maximum tolerated stimulus level. A goniometer will be used to assess mobility at the knee and ankle joints. Transcutaneous oxygen measurements (tcpO2) will be assessed using the PERIMED Periflux System 500 tcpO2 monitor. The level of oedema will be measured using the figure of eight measurement, tape circumference measurement and water displacement measurement. Comfort will also be assessed by use of a 100mm non-hatched visual analogue scale (VAS). Each participant will be asked to indicate their level of comfort following the application of NMES.

Detailed description

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) will be facilitated through the use of a two-channel, research stimulator, with the patient in a semi recumbent position, using UltraStim electrodes. Two 5 cm x 5 cm electrodes will be placed over the soleus muscle for calf stimulation. The participant will be allowed to ramp up the stimulus level themselves to get used to the sensation and determine their maximum tolerated stimulus level. A goniometer will be used to assess mobility at the knee and ankle joints. Transcutaneous oxygen measurements (tcpO2) will be assessed using the PERIMED Periflux System 500 tcpO2 monitor. The level of oedema will be measured using the figure of eight measurement, tape circumference measurement and water displacement measurement. Comfort will also be assessed by use of a 100mm non-hatched visual analogue scale (VAS). Each participant will be asked to indicate their level of comfort following the application of NMES. VAS pain scores of 30 mm or less will be categorised as mild pain, between 31 and 69 mm as moderate pain, and scores of 70 mm or greater as severe pain.

Conditions

• Oedema

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Custom-built, two-channel stimulator	Custom-built, two-channel stimulator for stimulation of the soleus calf muscle

Timeline

• Start date: 2015-08-01
• Primary completion: 2016-07-01
• Completion: 2016-07-01
• First posted: 2013-09-05
• Last updated: 2015-04-15

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Ireland