Pilot Trial of Neuromuscular Stimulation in Human Subjects with Chronic Venous Disease
Katherine J Williams, Hayley M Moore, Mary Ellis, Alun H Davies Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Imperial College London, London, UKCorrespondence: Alun H DaviesAcademic Department of Vascular Surgery, 4th Floor, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London, W6 8RF, UKTel +44 20 3311 7320...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Dove Medical Press
2021-12-01
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| Series: | Vascular Health and Risk Management |
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| Online Access: | https://www.dovepress.com/pilot-trial-of-neuromuscular-stimulation-in-human-subjects-with-chroni-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-VHRM |
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| author | Williams KJ Moore HM Ellis M Davies AH |
| author_facet | Williams KJ Moore HM Ellis M Davies AH |
| author_sort | Williams KJ |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Katherine J Williams, Hayley M Moore, Mary Ellis, Alun H Davies Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Imperial College London, London, UKCorrespondence: Alun H DaviesAcademic Department of Vascular Surgery, 4th Floor, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London, W6 8RF, UKTel +44 20 3311 7320Email a.h.davies@ic.ac.ukIntroduction: Neuromuscular stimulation (NMES) has been shown to improve peripheral blood flow in healthy people. We investigated the effect of bilateral leg NMES on the symptoms of chronic venous disease.Methods: Forty subjects were recruited from four groups: healthy, superficial insufficiency, deep insufficiency, and deep obstruction. Haemodynamic venous measurements were taken from the right femoral vein with ultrasound, laser Doppler fluximetry from the left hand and foot. Devices were then worn for 4– 6 hours per day, for 6 weeks. Haemodynamic measurements were repeated at week 6. Quality of life questionnaires were taken at week 0, 6 and 8.Results: The mean age was 48.7, BMI 28.6kg/m2, and maximum calf circumference 39.0 cm. Twenty-four subjects were men. NMES increased femoral vein peak velocity, TAMV and volume flow by 55%, 20%, 36% at 20 minutes (all p< 0.05), which was enhanced at week 6 (PV and TAMV p< 0.05). Mean increases in arm and leg fluximetry were 71% and 194% (both p< 0.01). Leg swelling was reduced by mean 252.7 mL (13%, p< 0.05) overall; 338.9 mL (16%, p< 0.05) in venous disease. For those with venous pathology, scores for disease specific and generic quality of life questionnaires improved. Those with C4-6 disease benefitted the most, with improvements in VDS score of 1, AVVQ of 6, and SF-12 of 10.Conclusion: NMES improves venous haemodynamic parameters in chronic venous disease, which is enhanced by regular use. NMES reduces leg oedema, improves blood supply to the skin of the foot, and may positively affect quality of life.Clinical Trials: This trial was registered with www.clinicaltrials.org.uk (NCT02137499).Keywords: neuromuscular, electrical, stimulation, venous disease, venous insufficiency |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T22:08:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9b54e64c33e3425a98292591cb78cffd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1178-2048 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T22:08:50Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Vascular Health and Risk Management |
| spelling | doaj.art-9b54e64c33e3425a98292591cb78cffd2022-12-21T19:25:13ZengDove Medical PressVascular Health and Risk Management1178-20482021-12-01Volume 1777177871085Pilot Trial of Neuromuscular Stimulation in Human Subjects with Chronic Venous DiseaseWilliams KJMoore HMEllis MDavies AHKatherine J Williams, Hayley M Moore, Mary Ellis, Alun H Davies Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Imperial College London, London, UKCorrespondence: Alun H DaviesAcademic Department of Vascular Surgery, 4th Floor, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London, W6 8RF, UKTel +44 20 3311 7320Email a.h.davies@ic.ac.ukIntroduction: Neuromuscular stimulation (NMES) has been shown to improve peripheral blood flow in healthy people. We investigated the effect of bilateral leg NMES on the symptoms of chronic venous disease.Methods: Forty subjects were recruited from four groups: healthy, superficial insufficiency, deep insufficiency, and deep obstruction. Haemodynamic venous measurements were taken from the right femoral vein with ultrasound, laser Doppler fluximetry from the left hand and foot. Devices were then worn for 4– 6 hours per day, for 6 weeks. Haemodynamic measurements were repeated at week 6. Quality of life questionnaires were taken at week 0, 6 and 8.Results: The mean age was 48.7, BMI 28.6kg/m2, and maximum calf circumference 39.0 cm. Twenty-four subjects were men. NMES increased femoral vein peak velocity, TAMV and volume flow by 55%, 20%, 36% at 20 minutes (all p< 0.05), which was enhanced at week 6 (PV and TAMV p< 0.05). Mean increases in arm and leg fluximetry were 71% and 194% (both p< 0.01). Leg swelling was reduced by mean 252.7 mL (13%, p< 0.05) overall; 338.9 mL (16%, p< 0.05) in venous disease. For those with venous pathology, scores for disease specific and generic quality of life questionnaires improved. Those with C4-6 disease benefitted the most, with improvements in VDS score of 1, AVVQ of 6, and SF-12 of 10.Conclusion: NMES improves venous haemodynamic parameters in chronic venous disease, which is enhanced by regular use. NMES reduces leg oedema, improves blood supply to the skin of the foot, and may positively affect quality of life.Clinical Trials: This trial was registered with www.clinicaltrials.org.uk (NCT02137499).Keywords: neuromuscular, electrical, stimulation, venous disease, venous insufficiencyhttps://www.dovepress.com/pilot-trial-of-neuromuscular-stimulation-in-human-subjects-with-chroni-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-VHRMneuromuscularelectricalstimulationvenous diseasevenous insufficiency |
| spellingShingle | Williams KJ Moore HM Ellis M Davies AH Pilot Trial of Neuromuscular Stimulation in Human Subjects with Chronic Venous Disease Vascular Health and Risk Management neuromuscular electrical stimulation venous disease venous insufficiency |
| title | Pilot Trial of Neuromuscular Stimulation in Human Subjects with Chronic Venous Disease |
| title_full | Pilot Trial of Neuromuscular Stimulation in Human Subjects with Chronic Venous Disease |
| title_fullStr | Pilot Trial of Neuromuscular Stimulation in Human Subjects with Chronic Venous Disease |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pilot Trial of Neuromuscular Stimulation in Human Subjects with Chronic Venous Disease |
| title_short | Pilot Trial of Neuromuscular Stimulation in Human Subjects with Chronic Venous Disease |
| title_sort | pilot trial of neuromuscular stimulation in human subjects with chronic venous disease |
| topic | neuromuscular electrical stimulation venous disease venous insufficiency |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/pilot-trial-of-neuromuscular-stimulation-in-human-subjects-with-chroni-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-VHRM |
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