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Transcutaneous Muscle Stimulation Promotes Muscle Growth in Immobilized Patients
Author(s) -
Buckley Donald C.,
Kudsk Kenneth A.,
Rose Barry,
Koettyng Carol A.,
Schlatter Marc,
Miller Carole A.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.935
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1941-2444
pISSN - 0148-6071
DOI - 10.1177/0148607187011006547
Subject(s) - excretion , medicine , isometric exercise , stimulation , urine , enteral administration , lean body mass , muscle atrophy , atrophy , skeletal muscle , endocrinology , parenteral nutrition , body weight
Muscular activity is a fundamental determinant of muscle mass. Transcutaneous muscle stimulation (TMS) may reverse muscle atrophy and lean mass loss in immobile patients by “artificial exercise.” Four paraplegic patients with upper motor neuron lesions entered The Ohio State University Clinical Research Center for a 21‐day metabolic balance study. After 6 days of baseline monitoring, each underwent isometric tetanic contractions (15 sec on; 45 sec off) of all major lower extremity muscle groups with TMS for 10 hr daily. Cross‐sectional areas of muscle plus bone were calculated with CAT scan planimetry at 7 levels in both lower extremities before and after the TMS period. Three patients completed the metabolic balance study. TMS produced significant growth of innervated thigh and calf muscles in all paraplegic patients. Little growth occurred where bone and tendon predominate. No significant changes in nitrogen balance (urine and stool excretion), potassium balance (urine excretion only), or phosphate balance (urine excretion only) could be demonstrated. Two possible explanations are (1) that the patients may have been underfed and (2) that perhaps due to an increase in metabolic rate owing to the stimulation, lean tissue in other locations may have been mobilized to meet leg muscle demands. Future studies will incorporate metabolic monitoring of oxygen consumption and CO 2 production during the experiment. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 11: 547–551, 1987)