Functional Strength Training and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Severe Acute Exacerbations of COPD
Status:
Recruiting
Trial end date:
2023-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is highly prevalent and frequently punctuated by
severe acute exacerbations (AECOPD), defined as a temporary worsening of symptoms which leads
to hospitalisation. AECOPD result in physical inactivity, muscle weakness and decreased
exercise capacity, which impacts negatively on patients' health status, and increases
patients' susceptibility for new exacerbations and death. To date, light aerobic exercises,
such as early mobilisation and low-intensity ambulation, have become part of standard of care
during severe AECOPD. Nevertheless, additional strength training using neuromuscular
electrical stimulation and functional exercises, which have been shown to prevent skeletal
muscle dysfunction whilst inducing minimal stress in the ventilatory system, might be of
added value to optimize patients' functional performance and symptoms during activities at
discharge.
Therefore, this randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of additional
functional strength training and neuromuscular electrical stimulation on top of standard of
care during hospitalisation for an AECOPD to enhance functional performance, symptoms of
dyspnoea and fatigue during activities, and readmission rate.