The goal of this clinical trial is to study how whole-body electrical stimulation combined with amino acid intake affects muscle health in ventilated ICU patients. The main questions to answer are:
* Does electrostimulation improve the balance of muscle protein in ICU patients? * Does combining electrostimulation with amino acid help build muscle and prevent muscle loss?
Researchers will compare three groups of patients:
1. Sham electrostimulation (no current applied) + the standard nutrition 2. Electrostimulation + the standard nutrition 3. Electrostimulation + a 20g amino acid bolus
Participants will:
* Receive either real or sham electrostimulation * Get their standard nutrition or a 20g amino acid bolus * Have marked amino acids given through an IV * Have blood samples taken to measure the amino acids and glucose in the blood * Undergo ultrasound of the upper arm to measure the blood flow
Aged ≥18 years
Expected to need mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours, judged by physician
Expected to reach a Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) score of -4 or -5 (complete sedation), judged by physician
Informed consent obtained from the next-of-kin
Spinal cord injury
Previous surgery/local wounds that prohibit whole-body NMES
Conditions that prohibit NMES (such open wounds)
Chronic neuromuscular disorders (such as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS))
Wageningen University
Lead sponsor
Gelderse Vallei Hospital
Collaborator