Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation For Pulmonary Rehabilitation In Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective: study the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in patients with severe chronic obstrucitve pulmonary disease.Method: In this randomized controlled observational study 56 patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), who were allocated into two groups:NMES group and exercise training(ET) group. To compare the effects of NMES and exercise training group on Pulmonary function, quadriceps muscle function, SGRQ score,CAT score,HADS score and BODE index in patients with severe COPD before and after a 8-week intervention.Result: The patient of two groups showed no significant difference in pulmonary function, quadriceps muscle function, SGRQ score,CAT score,HADS score and BODE index before rehabilitation(P>0.05).After 8 weeks training, pulmonary function, quadriceps muscle function and 6MWD increased significantly in both groups(P<0.05),and a significant decease in the SGRQ score,CAT score,depression score,HADS score and BODE index(P<0.05),no significant change was observed in the BMI values of the two groups(P>0.05), There was a significant decrease in HADS scores for anxiety in the ET group(P<0.05)but not in the NMES group( P > 0.05).The patient of two groups showed no significant difference in SGRQ score,CAT score,HADS score and BODE index(P>0.05) except anxiety score(P<0.05)after rehabilitation.Conclusion: NMES is an effective treatment strategy in pulmonary rehabilitation programs for peripheral skeletal muscle training in patients with severe COPD.