Comparison of two physiotherapy treatments in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: Skeletal muscle dysfunction contributes to reduce health status of COPD patients. Acute exacerbations of COPD are associated with an increase in both prevalence and severity of global muscle dysfunction. Different authors have proposed the use of electrostimulation as the ideal method of retraining COPD patients without generating dyspnoea.

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze the efficacy of physical conditioning of two physiotherapy interventions, superimposed electrostimulation and functional electrostimulation, in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.

Methods: In this clinical trial, patients were randomly divided into three groups. A control group received standard medical treatment and two electrostimulation groups received, in addition to standard medical treatment, a physiotherapy intervention, one with superimposed electrostimulation and one with functional electrostimulation. The main variables were lower limb strength evaluated by Quadriceps Dynamometry, exercise tolerance measured with the Five Times Sit to Stand Test and fatigue, evaluated with the Fatigue Severity Scale. Patients were evaluated at baseline and at hospital discharge.

Results: 34 patients were finally included. At discharge, there were significant differences in lower limb strength, exercise tolerance and fatigue in both electrostimulation groups compared to the control group, being the scores better in the functional group.

Conclusion: Physiotherapy interventions based on electrostimulation can improve lower limb strength, exercise tolerance and fatigue in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.