Neuromuscular electrostimulation in patients with heart failure: A systematic review with meta-analysis
Review - e255658 - Published 2026, Jun 3 16
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33233/rbfex.v25i1.5658Keywords:
heart failure, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, quality of life, muscle strength, functional statusAbstract
Introduction: Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) occurs when the heart is unable to meet the body's demands adequately, resulting in reduced blood flow. The patient experiences dyspnea, fatigue, and an inability to perform exercises that require greater effort. Neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES) has been used as a treatment to increase muscle strength, functional capacity, and quality of life. Objective: To review the effectiveness of NMES on muscle strength, quality of life, and functional capacity in patients with heart failure. Methods: This is a systematic review using the PICO strategy, with searches conducted in the PUBMED, SciELO, and LILACS databases using the descriptors: heart failure, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, quality of life, muscle strength, and functional status, combined with the boolean operators 'AND' and 'OR'. Results: Eighteen studies were included after selection. NMES showed no statistically significant difference on the functional capacity outcome (difference between means 12.06 meters; 95% CI, -2.55 to +26.66), but there was a statistically significant difference in quality of life (difference between means 4.20 points; 95% CI, 2.79 to 5.62). The studies showed superiority in muscle strength for patients with CHF who were exposed to NMES. Conclusion: Neuromuscular electrostimulation can safely be implemented in patients with heart failure, positively impacting quality of life and muscle strength, but without affecting functional capacity.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Aline de Sousa Nassif, Fernanda Lobo de Jesus Brito, Gilmara Santa Rosa Santos, André Luiz Lisboa Cordeiro
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