RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Neuromuscular electrical stimulation improves clinical and physiological function in COPD patients
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P1289
VO 44
IS Suppl 58
A1 Laura Neves
A1 Paulo Vieira
A1 Adriana Chiappa
A1 Gerson Cipriano, Jr
A1 Daniel Umpierre
A1 Ross Arena
A1 Gaspar Chiappa
YR 2014
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P1289.abstract
AB Background: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) improves muscle performance and exercise tolerance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. In contrast, no study has assessed the effect of NMES on dynamic hyperinflation (DH) in COPD. This study investigated the effect of short-term, high-frequency NMES on DH in patients with COPD. Methods: Twenty patients were randomly allocated to either a NMES applied bilaterally to the quadriceps muscles (n=11: 8 weeks, 5 days/week, twice/day, 45 min/session) or a control group (n=09). All patients received respiratory physical therapy and stretching exercises. Free fat mass, pulmonary function (FEV1 and FEV1/FVC), time to exercise tolerance (Tlim), 6-min walk test distance (6-MWTD), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-a) and b-endorphin levels, Borg dyspnea and leg score (BDS and BLS) and quality of life by the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire score (SGRQ) were examined before and after the intervention. Results: Compared with the control group, NMES increased FEV1 and FEV1/FVC, 6-MWD and Tlim (p<0.01) and reduced BDS and SGRQ (p<0.01). Additionally, changes in the Tlim were positively correlated with respiratory improvements in FEV1 (r=0.48, p<0.01). Also, NMES reduced TNF-a and increased b-endorphin levels, compared with the control group (p< 0.001). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that short-term, high-frequency NMES appears to reduce dynamic hyperinflation and significantly increased pulmonary function, exercise tolerance and quality of life in COPD patients.