The role of neuromuscular electrostimulation in patients with advanced COPD included in pulmonary rehabilitation programs

Abstract

Introduction: Muscular dysfunction is a common comorbidity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES) is an adjuvant therapy for muscle weakness. We proposed to evaluate if the association of NMES to a pulmonary rehabilitation program (PRP), in patients with advanced COPD, has additional benefits compared with PRP alone. Methods. 40 males with stable COPD, were divided in 2 study groups: group A-20 patients that underwent a PRP of 5 sessions/week for 4 weeks and group B-20 patients that underwent intercostal and lower extremity NMES (5 sessions/week for 4 weeks, 60 min /session) in association with the same type of PRP. Before and after the intervention, subjects performed spirometry, maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax) and maximal expiratory pressure (PEmax), six minutes walking test (6MWT), Saint Georges’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (mMRC) and bio-electrical impedance. Results. NMES applied in group B increased 6MWT (369.6 ± 10.77m vs post: 445.6 ± 6.03 m), PEmax (5.41 ± 0.25 vs post 6.79 ± 0.22, p