Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Diaphragmatic Stimulation on Respiratory Variables in COPD Patients

Summary

Transcutaneous electrical diaphragmatic stimulation (TEDS) has been used to improve respiratory muscle strength in patients with respiratory muscles weakness. However, this physiotherapeutic resource has not been studied in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) yet. The objective of this study is to evaluate the respiratory pattern during the session of TEDS besides its effect in respiratory muscle strength and in spirometric variables as much healthy patients as in COPD patients. Methods: healthy and COPD patients are selected and submitted to TEDS treatment. The plethysmographic analysis (LifeShirt System - VivoMetric), respiratory muscle strength and spirometry will be made. The hypothesis is that the TEDS can helps COPD patients that shows respiratory muscle weakness.

Conditions

• COPD

Interventions

OTHER

TEDS in COPD patients

For the TEDS (transcutaneous electrical diaphragmatic stimulation) the electrical current is pulsed, biphasic and symmetric, with the following parameters: frequency of 30 Hertz; 0.4ms phase width, rise time of 0.7 seconds; respiratory rate of 14 rpm; intensity is the minimum necessary to obtain diaphragm muscle contraction. Four silicone-carbon electrodes (3x5cm) were placed on the skin with gel and micropore tape. Two electrodes were located on each side of the thorax, specifically in the 3rd intercostal space near the xyphoid region and in the 7th intercostal space, on the mid-axillary line. Each session had duration of approximately 30 minutes and the subjects were instructed to co-ordinate breathing with the pulsing of the electrical current.

OTHER

TEDS in healthy patients

For the TEDS (transcutaneous electrical diaphragmatic stimulation) the electrical current is pulsed, biphasic and symmetric, with the following parameters: frequency of 30 Hertz; 0.4ms phase width, rise time of 0.7 seconds; respiratory rate of 14 rpm; intensity is the minimum necessary to obtain diaphragm muscle contraction. Four silicone-carbon electrodes (3x5cm) were placed on the skin with gel and micropore tape. Two electrodes were located on each side of the thorax, specifically in the 3rd intercostal space near the xyphoid region and in the 7th intercostal space, on the mid-axillary line. Each session had duration of approximately 30 minutes and the subjects were instructed to co-ordinate breathing with the pulsing of the electrical current.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Dirceu Costa, PhD · UFSCar

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

30 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2011-02-28

Primary Completion

2011-04-30

Completion

2011-05-31

Countries

• Brazil

Study Locations