This study found an association between NMES and reduced odds of DVT compared with IPC in neurosurgery patients, although further evidence is required to determine its effectiveness in clinical practice.
Among 232 neurosurgery patients ineligible for pharmacological prophylaxis, 62 were diagnosed with DVT, and the incidence was lower in the NMES group than in the IPC group.
After adjustment for confounders, NMES use was independently associated with lower odds of DVT compared with IPC.
Male sex was associated with lower odds of DVT than female sex.
Older age was associated with higher odds of DVT.
Longer operation duration was associated with higher odds of DVT.
The authors conclude that NMES may be more widely adopted in neurosurgery to reduce DVT, but that further evidence is needed to confirm effectiveness.
This study looked at two non-drug methods used to prevent dangerous blood clots in the leg veins (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) after brain or spine surgery. The patients were at high risk of bleeding and could not take blood-thinning medication. One method was neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), which uses electrical pulses to make leg muscles contract. The other was intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC), which uses inflatable cuffs that squeeze the legs. The researchers reviewed records of 232 patients at one hospital between 2020 and 2021. Of 101 patients who received NMES, 11 developed DVT. Of 131 who received IPC, 51 did. After accounting for age, sex, length of surgery and hospital stay, NMES was associated with about 73% lower odds of DVT than IPC. Older age and longer surgery were linked to higher odds of DVT, and men had lower odds than women. This research suggests NMES may be a useful option for preventing clots in neurosurgery patients who cannot take blood thinners. However, the study was retrospective and done at a single centre, so it shows an association rather than proof that NMES works better. The authors say more evidence is needed, such as from prospective trials, before drawing firm conclusions about clinical practice.
Wang L, Ye L, Rong L, Qian W, Chen X, Cheng Z, et al.. (2026). Association between neuromuscular electrical stimulation and intermittent pneumatic compression for the prevention of deep venous thrombosis among neurosurgery patients.. Annals of medicine. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2026.2752675