Effects of whole-body neuromuscular electrical stimulation device on hemodynamics, arrhythmia, and sublingual microcirculation

Abstract

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation has been used to treat cardiovascular diseases and other types of muscular dysfunction. A novel whole-body neuromuscular electrical stimulation (WB-NMES) wearable device may be beneficial when combined with voluntary exercises. This study aimed to investigate the safety and effects of the WB-NMES on hemodynamics, arrhythmia, and sublingual microcirculation. The study included 19 healthy Japanese volunteers, aged 22–33 years, who were not using any medication. Electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, and blood sampling were conducted before a 20-min WB-NMES session and at 0 and 10 min after termination of WB-NMES. Their tolerable maximum intensity was recorded using numeric rating scale. Arrhythmia was not detected during neuromuscular electrical stimulation or during 10 min of recovery. Blood pressure, heart rate, left ventricular ejection fraction, and diastolic function remained unchanged; however, mild mitral regurgitation was transiently observed during WB-NMES in a single male participant. A decrease in blood glucose and an increase in blood lactate levels were observed, but no changes in blood fluidity, sublingual microcirculation, blood levels of noradrenaline, or oxidative stress were shown. WB-NMES is safe and effective for decreasing blood glucose and increasing blood lactate levels without changing the blood fluidity or microcirculation in healthy people.