Impact of NMES on Spirometry Values, Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension

Impact of NMES on Spirometry Values, Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension

Impact of Peripheral Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Spirometry Values, Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) features symptoms related to a decreased cardiac autonomic response, pulmonary function and exercise capacity. Non-pharmacological interventions are low cost and can significant enhance outcomes in these patients. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been proposed as a viable therapeutic approach in patients with functional limitations, particularly those that present with difficulty to perform exercise protocols. Objective: to evaluate the impact of NMES on exercise capacity, spirometry values and quality of life of patients with PH. Material and methods: prospective randomized controlled study with a control group (GC, n9) and NMES goup (GE, n8). Quality of life and exercise capacity through the six-minute walk test (6MWT) were assessed before and after the NMES protocol. Results: the GE presented with a significant improvement in distance walked in the 6MWT, cycle ergometry, spirometry and quality of life in the areas of vitality, emotional and social aspects of the questionnaire Short Form Health Survey-36. Conclusion: NMES is a useful tool in the treatment of patients with PH, resulting in improved exercise capacity, quality of life and lung function testing.

pulmonary hypertension, peripheral muscle electrostimulation, capacity of the exercises, quality of life

The GC received standard ambulatory care, including routine exams and drug therapy. All patients were reassessed after the 2 month protocol.

Receiving the usual care and guidance on their illness, underwent 30 minute NMES sessions twice a week for two months using an electrostimulator. Specifically, 5 cm adhesive surface electrodes in four alternate channels on the Rectus Femoris (two channels the right and two on the left) were used to deliver two-phase symmetrical currents, with a rectangular pulse wave at a frequency of 35 Hz and pulse duration of 250 μ. The time of ascent and descent was one second, contraction time was four seconds and relaxation was eight seconds.

Inclusion Criteria: Males and females greater than or equal to 18 years of age, clinically stable with optimized drug therapy in the last 3 months, previously diagnosed with a mean pulmonary arterial pressure ≥ 25 mmHg by right heart catheterization and who agreed to participate by signing an informed consent were included. Exclusion Criteria: Exclusion criteria included a diagnosis of Down syndrome, orthopedic disease or neurologic or diagnoses, history of acute heart attack, use of beta-blockers, any urgent or elective surgical intervention during the implementation of the protocol, those who used assistive devices to ambulate or develop an infectious process during the study protocol.