Electrical Stimulation of the Muscle Pumps of the Leg
- Conditions
- Haemodynamic Physiology
- Interventions
- Device: Electrical stimulation (Digitimer)
- Registration Number
- NCT02532556
- Lead Sponsor
- Imperial College London
- Brief Summary
The most efficient way of electrically stimulating the calf muscles has not been identified. The investigators aim to investigate this using a matrix of electrical parameters, and measuring the outcome with vascular ultrasound of the leg.
- Detailed Description
Blood is aided on its journey to the heart by the action of the muscles of the legs. Muscle contraction squeezes the deep veins of the leg and pushes blood upwards, back towards the heart. In immobilised patients, or those with blood vessel problems, the pumping process can be helped by machines that either squeeze or shock the muscles of the calf (e.g. intermittent pneumatic compression, electrical stimulating devices). Many are licensed for medical use, and some are common place in hospitals and outpatient departments.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 12
- 18 years or older
- Current good health
- History of cardiovascular disease
- Ankle Brachial Pressure Index <0.9
- Venous reflux>0.5s
- Pregnancy
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- SINGLE_GROUP
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description 1 Electrical stimulation (Digitimer) Stimulation of muscle in this order: vastus medials, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, medial head gastrocnemius, lateral head gastrocnemius 6 Electrical stimulation (Digitimer) Stimulation of muscle in this order: medial head gastrocnemius, lateral head gastrocnemius, vastus medials, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior, peroneus longus 2 Electrical stimulation (Digitimer) Stimulation of muscle in this order: rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, medial head gastrocnemius, lateral head gastrocnemius, vastus medials 4 Electrical stimulation (Digitimer) Stimulation of muscle in this order: tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, and the medial head gastrocnemius, lateral head gastrocnemius, vastus medials, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis 7 Electrical stimulation (Digitimer) Stimulation of muscle in this order: lateral head gastrocnemius, vastus medials, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, medial head gastrocnemius, 3 Electrical stimulation (Digitimer) Stimulation of muscle in this order: vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, medial head gastrocnemius, lateral head gastrocnemius, vastus medials, rectus femoris 5 Electrical stimulation (Digitimer) Stimulation of muscle in this order: peroneus longus, medial head gastrocnemius, lateral head gastrocnemius, vastus medials, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Venous Haemodynamic Measurements (Volume Flow Rate) Baseline compared to that after 10-mins stimulation (2-mins to take measurements) Measurement by ultrasound, in right femoral vein. Flow rate (ml/min).
Venous Haemodynamic Measurements (Time Averaged Maximum Velocity) Baseline compared to that after 10-mins stimulation (2-mins to take measurements) Measurement by ultrasound, in right femoral vein. Time averaged maximum velocity (cm/s).
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Pain Grading on Stimulation During stimulation (10-mins each muscle) Visual analogue scale (0-minimum pain, to 100-maximum pain)