Unlocking the potential of neuromuscular electrical stimulation: achieving physical activity benefits for all abilities

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) uses electrical impulses to induce muscle contractions, providing benefits in rehabilitation, muscle activation, and as an adjunct to exercise, particularly for individuals experiencing immobilization or physical disability. NMES technology has significantly progressed, with advancements in device development and a deeper understanding of treatment parameters, such as frequency, intensity, and pulse duration. These improvements have expanded NMES applications beyond rehabilitation to include enhanced post-exercise recovery, improved blood glucose uptake, and increased lower limb venous return, potentially reducing thrombotic risks. Despite its benefits, NMES faces challenges in user compliance, often due to improper electrode placement and discomfort during treatment. Research highlights the importance of optimizing stimulation parameters, including electrode positioning, to improve both comfort and treatment efficacy. Recent innovations, such as automated processes for locating optimal stimulation points and adaptable electrode sizes, aim to address these issues. When combined with wearable technologies, these innovations could improve NMES treatment adherence and deliver more consistent, long-term therapeutic outcomes for patients with various physical limitations. Together, these developments indicate a promising future for NMES, presenting a valuable tool to enhance the benefits of physical activity across diverse populations, from rehabilitative care to broader health and wellness applications.

Patient-Reported Outcomes in Venous Thromboembolism: A Systematic Review of the Literature, Current Challenges, and Ways Forward

BACKGROUND

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) affects >1.2 million Americans annually. Although the clinical outcomes and economic burdens of VTE have been well described, the impact of VTE on patients' health status has yet to be summarized. This systematic review summarizes how patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been used in VTE to date.

METHODS AND RESULTS

PubMed/MEDLINE was queried for literature published through March 2023 using PROMs in a population of patients with VTE. Studies were excluded if the reference was an editorial, review, or case report, or if the study included patients with conditions other than VTE. Qualitative analyses were performed. After screening and exclusion, 136 references were identified; 5 described PROM development, 20 focused on PROM validation, and 111 used PROMs in outcomes research. The most used generic PROMs were the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey and EuroQol 5-dimensional questionnaire, and the most common disease-specific PROMs were the Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study-Quality of Life/Symptoms and the Pulmonary Embolism Quality of Life Questionnaire. PROMs were used to quantify the changes in health status after diagnosis, characterize the trajectory of subsequent improvement, and identify drivers of continued impairments in health status like postthrombotic syndrome and postpulmonary embolism syndrome. PROMs were also used to investigate the impact of novel treatment modalities on quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

This review demonstrates the many benefits of PROM use, including quantifying changes in health status with treatment, capturing patients' experiences with the treatment itself, and identifying complications of VTE. Incorporating PROMs into VTE care will be an essential component of evaluating the effectiveness of novel therapies and should lead to improved shared decision-making for patients with VTE.

Prevention, Diagnostics and Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis. Russian Experts Consensus

The guidelines are developed in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation by the all-Russian public organization «Association of Phlebologists of Russia» with participation of the Association of Cardiovascular Surgeons of Russia, the Russian Society of Surgeons, the Russian Society of Angiologists and Vascular Surgeons, the Association of Traumatologists and Orthopedists of Russia, the Association of Oncologists of Russia, the Russian Society of Clinical Oncology, Russian Society of Oncohematologists, Russian Society of Cardiology, Russian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

[Risk of post-thrombotic syndrome following direct oral anticoagulant intake: a systematic review and meta-analysis]

OBJECTIVE

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of data devoted to the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) following direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) intake.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of trials available in the PubMed database were performed in March 2021. Analysis included the reports with known Villalta score for PTS in patients receiving DOACs or alternative anticoagulation. We analyzed the incidence and risk of any form of PTS.

RESULTS

We found 10 comparative studies comprising 3161 patients. Incidence of PTS under DOAC therapy was 30.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 22.2-39.3%), severe PTS - 2.2% (95% CI 1.0-3.4%). DOACs were associated with significantly less risk of any form of PTS (odds ratio (OR) 0.57; 95% CI 0.48-0.68; p<0.001) and severe PTS (OR 0.56; 95% CI 0.36-0.87; p=0.010) compared to vitamin K antagonists. Among various DOACs, specified data were available only for rivaroxaban (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.42-0.71, p<0.001 for any PTS; OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.27-0.89, p=0.019 for severe PTS). The use of flavonoids in adjunction to rivaroxaban was associated with additional risk reduction for PTS (OR 0.14; 95% CI 0.06-0.31; p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Moderate quality evidence suggests that DOACs are associated with significant less risk of any PTS and severe PTS compared to VKA in patients with deep vein thrombosis. Among all DOACs, only rivaroxaban has clear data confirming PTS risk reduction. The use of flavonoids in adjunction to rivaroxaban can further improve treatment outcomes.

[Contemporary approaches to determine the duration of anticoagulant therapy for venous thromboembolism]

The review is devoted to the issue of optimal duration of anticoagulant therapy for venous thromboembolic complications (VTEC) using oral anticoagulants (OAC). These drugs are characterized by higher safety in comparison with vitamin K antagonists and make it possible to increase the duration of treatment for not only spontaneous thrombosis (with high risk of recurrence), but also thrombosis provoked by minor persistent and transient risk factors of VTEC. Efficacy and safety of prolonged treatment of VTEC using OAC was analyzed. Different classifications of primary thrombotic episode depending on risk of subsequent recurrence are presented. Moreover, scales for individual assessment of risk of recurrent thrombosis after anticoagulant therapy cancellation and risk of bleeding in case of continued treatment are given. Outcomes of long-term administration of rivaroxaban for VTEC are analyzed. It was concluded that OAC are safe for prolonged management of primary thrombotic episode. However, overall duration of treatment should be determined considering individual balance of benefits and risks.