Effect of adding neuromuscular electrical stimulation training to pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: randomized clinical trial:

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation added to pulmonary rehabilitation on walking tolerance and balance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Design:Randomized clinical trial.Setting:Outpatient, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Tunisia.Subjects:A total of 45 patients with COPD were assigned to an intervention group (n = 25) or a control group (n = 20).Interventions:The intervention group underwent a neuromuscular electrical stimulation added to pulmonary rehabilitation, and the control group underwent only a pulmonary rehabilitation, three times per week during six months.Main Measures:Measures were taken at baseline and after six months of training. A stabilometric platform, time up and go, Berg balance scale tests, 6 minute walking test, and the maximal voluntary contraction were measured.Results:In the intervention group, an increase in an exercise tolerance manifested by a longer distance walked in 6 minute walking test 619.5 (39.6) m...