1. The electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerve, and is used to provide respiration or breathing for patients who have been paralyzed by an acute bulbar poliomyelitis (a severe form of viral disease affecting the medulla oblongata, which may result in a dysfunction of the swallowing mechanism, normal breathing, and circulatory distress).
2. An artificial respiration in which the nerves that control breathing are stimulated electrically through correctly placed electrodes.

3. An application of intermittent electrical stimuli to cutaneous electrodes over the phrenic nerves in the neck to rhythmically stimulate respiration or proper breathing.

The technique is used in patients whose respiratory center has been damaged.