What is the primary purpose of NMES in preventing muscle atrophy during immobilization?

• A. To maintain muscle strength and re-educate muscle function.
• B. To erase bone density.
• C. To passively stretch muscles.
• D. To heat tissues.

Answer: (A)

NMES activates muscles when voluntary effort is limited, delivering electrical pulses that cause controlled muscle contractions. This external activation provides a form of mechanical loading on the muscle during immobilization, helping to maintain muscle fiber size and prevent disuse atrophy. It also supports re-education of the nervous system, preserving recruitment patterns so strength and function rebound more quickly when activity resumes. In this setting, the primary purpose is to maintain muscle strength and re-educate muscle function. It isn’t about erasing bone density, passive stretching, or heating tissues, which are addressed by other approaches.