A patient becomes fatigued during neuromuscular electrical stimulation. What action would best limit fatigue?

Increasing the off time during neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is an effective strategy to limit fatigue. When NMES is applied to stimulate muscle contractions, the muscle can become fatigued if the stimulation is continuous or doesn't allow sufficient recovery time between cycles. By increasing the off time, the patient gets an extended period for the muscle to recover before the next contraction, which can help delay the onset of fatigue.

Additionally, longer off times allow for more effective muscle recovery, ensuring that the muscle can generate stronger contractions with each subsequent cycle. This adjustment can optimize the benefits of electrical stimulation, leading to more productive therapy sessions while minimizing uncomfortable fatigue that could hinder progress in rehabilitation.

In contrast, modifying phase duration or increasing frequency can intensify the demands on the muscle, potentially leading to quicker fatigue. Decreasing the amplitude could lessen the intensity of contractions but might not effectively reduce fatigue in a significant manner. Therefore, increasing the off time is the most beneficial approach for managing fatigue in this context.