Functional electrical stimulation of abdominal musculature in patients on mechanical ventilation following chest trauma: A pilot feasibility open randomized controlled trial

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) of abdominal musculature in mechanically ventilated patients following chest trauma will be  evaluated in a pilot, feasibility, open randomized controlled trial to determine whether this intervention could improve respiratory outcomes and assist ventilator weaning. Patients with chest trauma requiring mechanical ventilation will be  randomized to receive either standard care alone or standard care plus FES applied to abdominal muscles. The feasibility outcomes included recruitment rate, protocol adherence, safety, and patient tolerance.