Open AccessEfficacy of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in patients with COPD followed in intensive care unit
Author(s) -
Akar Olcay,
Günay Ersin,
Sarinc Ulasli Sevinc,
Ulasli Alper Murat,
Kacar Emre,
Sariaydin Muzaffer,
Solak Özlem,
Celik Sefa,
Ünlü Mehmet
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the clinical respiratory journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.789
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1752-699X
pISSN - 1752-6981
DOI - 10.1111/crj.12411
Subject(s) - medicine , copd , mechanical ventilation , intensive care unit , weaning , rehabilitation , pulmonary rehabilitation , ventilation (architecture) , physical therapy , stimulation , anesthesia , mechanical engineering , engineering
Abstract Introduction Serious problems on muscle strength and functional status can be seen in bedridden‐patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) receiving mechanical ventilation. We aimed to investigate the impact of active extremity mobilization and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on weaning processes, discharge from hospital and inflammatory mediators in COPD patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Methods Thirty conscious COPD patients (F/M:15/15) hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) with diagnosis of respiratory failure were enrolled to this study. Patients were randomized into three groups, including 10 patients for each. Active extremity‐exercise training and NMES were applied to Group‐1, only NMES was applied to Group‐2 and active extremity exercise training was applied to Group‐3. Muscle strengths, mobilization duration and weaning situation were evaluated. Serum cytokine levels were evaluated. Results Lower extremity muscle‐strength was significantly improved in Group‐1 (from 3.00 to 5.00, P = 0.014) and 2 (from 4.00 to 5.00, P = 0.046). Upper extremity muscle strength was also significantly improved in all three groups (from 4.00 to 5.00 for all groups, P = 0.038, P = 0.046 and P = 0.034, respectively). Duration of mobilization and discharge from the ICU were similar among groups. There was a significant decrease in serum interleukin (IL)‐6 level in Group‐1 and in serum IL‐8 level in Group‐1 and Group‐2 after rehabilitation. Conclusion This study indicates that pulmonary rehabilitation can prevent loss of muscle strength in ICU. Nevertheless, we consider that further studies with larger populations are needed to examine the impact of NMES and/or active and passive muscle training in bedridden ICU patients who are mechanically ventilated.