The Effect of Electrical Stimulation of the Calf Muscle and Compression Stocking on Venous Blood Flow Velocity

Abstract

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) refers to the application of current pulses, through surface or implanted electrodes to trigger generation of a neural action potential train to produce artificial muscle contraction in the associated muscle. In surface NMES pre-gelled electrodes are placed on the skin surface over the motor point of the muscle of interest, and is a completely non-invasive technique. Graduated compression stockings (GCS) and bandaging facilitate venous return initiated by a physiological calf-muscle contraction. We hypothesised that an NMES-elicited artificial calf muscle contraction would augment venous return from the lower limbs and that the use of NMES in conjunction with a GCS would result in increased augmentation. The aims of this study were: