The Effect of Electrical Stimulation on Skeletal Muscle in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

摘要

Electrical stimulation was a method of exercising, which requires less baseline functional capacity to perform. This study was designed to evaluate the effects and the safety of low-frequency electrical stimulation (LFES) on muscle strength, exercise tolerance and blood flow in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Four weeks of LFES increased maximal muscle strength and peak torque, However VO2 max did not increase significantly after LFES. Blood pressure and heart rate did not change after LFES. Therefore LFES could improve muscle strength, but did not improve exercise tolerance. Moreover LFES could be confirmed for the safety of patients with LVAD and pacemaker. In conclusion, LFES might become new strategy for respiratory rehabilitation.