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Feasibility of transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation in acute exacerbation of COPD

Durchführbarkeit einer transcutanen elektrischen Muskelstimulation bei akuter Exazerbation einer COPD

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Zusammenfassung

Die transcutane elektrische Muskelstimulation ist eine gut etablierte Rehabilitationsmaßnahme bei klinisch stabilen Patienten mit chronisch obstruktiver Lungenerkrankung (COPD). Die vorliegende Studie untersuchte die Durchführbarkeit und Sicherheit dieser Methode während akuter Verschlechterung einer COPD. Wir schlossen 19 Patienten (71 ± 6 Jahre alt, 76 % Männer) in die Studie ein, die zwei Sitzungen pro Tag (15 ± 1 Übungs-Sitzungen) während ihres stationären Aufenthaltes unterzogen wurden. Die Patienten berichteten eine gute Verträglichkeit sowie ein ausgezeichnetes Sicherheitsprofil der transkutanen elektrischen Muskelstimulation. Unsere Ergebnisse stellen die Grundlage für künftige Untersuchungen dar, die den besonderen Vorteil einer transcutanen elektrischen Muskelstimulation entweder allein oder in Kombination mit Unterstützung durch entsprechende Ernährung und Pharmakotherapie definieren sollen.

Summary

Transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation is a well-established intervention for rehabilitation of clinically stable patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study investigated feasibility and safety of this method during acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We included 19 patients (71 ± 6 years, 76% men) who underwent two sessions/day during hospitalization (15 ± 1 training sessions). They reported good tolerability and excellent safety profile of transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation. Our results set the stage for future research to determine specific benefit of transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation, either alone or in combination with nutritional support and pharmacological therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01226342.

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Abbreviations

BODE:

body mass index, obstruction of airflow, dyspnoea, exercise capacity

COPD:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

FACIT:

Functional assessment of chronic illness therapy questionnaire

FEV1:

forced expiratory volume in 1 second

FVC:

forced volume vital capacity

GOLD:

the global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease

HRQOL:

health related quality of life

MRC:

Medical Research Council

SGRQ:

St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire

TCEMS:

transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation

6MWT:

6-minute walk test

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University Clinic of Pulmonary and Allergic Diseases Golnik, Golnik, Slovenia

    Uros Meglic, Jure Sorli & Mitja Kosnik

  2. Division of Cardiology, The University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases Golnik, Golnik, Slovenia

    Mitja Lainscak

  3. Applied Cachexia Research, Charite Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Mitja Lainscak

Authors
  1. Uros Meglic
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  2. Jure Sorli
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  3. Mitja Kosnik
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  4. Mitja Lainscak
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Correspondence to Mitja Lainscak.

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Meglic, U., Sorli, J., Kosnik, M. et al. Feasibility of transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation in acute exacerbation of COPD. Wien Klin Wochenschr 123, 384–387 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-011-1587-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-011-1587-2

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