Hemodynamics and Systemic Fibrinolytic Activity: A Randomized Clinical Pilot Study

Objective Muscular physical exercise is a stimulus to circulatory development. But it is not always possible. In this context, there was the development of intermittent pneumatic compression therapy and, more recently, neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Methods A clinical, interventional, prospective, single-center, randomized, single-blind study was carried out to evaluate the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on lower limb hemodynamics and systemic fibrinolytic activity in 10 healthy subjects. The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Botucatu Medical School, UNESP (CAAE: 30680120.0.0000.5411). Results The flow volume variation was significant, in the joint analysis of the limbs, at the popliteal vein. The diameter of the vessels proved to be the most sensitive to neuromuscular electrical stimulation in the joint analysis of the limbs. Flow velocities varied statistically significantly only in the femoral vessels. In the popliteal vessels, there was a variation in flow increment, but it was not statistically significant. There was no statistically significant change in the plasminogen activator inhibitor. For plasminogen activator, there was numerical variation, with continuous increment, but this did not represent a statistically significant change ($p > 0.05$). There was no adverse event and all subjects had the lowest tolerance score (no feeling of discomfort). Conclusions NMES significantly improved popliteal and femoral hemodynamics. Although numerical increases in plasminogen activator were observed, they did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). The protocol proved to be safe and well-tolerated. Trial Registration: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) RBR-6gs4bdh . UTN: U1111-1301-5055 . Registered on January 29, 2024. URL: https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-6gs4bdh