Inspiratory Muscle Training and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Summary

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant current public health problem, characterized by the presence of limited airflow. However, COPD has important manifestations beyond the lungs, the so-called systemic effects. These included dysfunction of peripheral and respiratory muscles. The growing amount of evidence has shown that patients with COPD also present important deficits in postural balance and consequently, increased risk of falling. As an essential part of the management of COPD, pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) alleviates dyspnea and fatigue, improves exercise tolerance and health-related quality of life, and reduces hospital admissions and mortality for COPD patients. Exercise is the key component of PR, which is composed of exercise assessment and training therapy. Currently, two modalities of therapy have been suggested as complementary to pulmonary rehabilitation: inspiratory muscular training (IMT) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). Based on the premise that peripheral and respiratory muscle dysfunction can negatively impact postural control of patients with COPD, and given the importance of balance as a modifiable risk factor for falls, it is important to investigate whether the use of these therapeutic modalities (IMT and/or NMES) is capable of improving the short-term effects of pulmonary rehabilitation and also promoting improved balance.

Conditions

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Interventions

DEVICE

Multimodal training

IMT will be performed using the POWERbreathe® Medic Plus inspiratory training device for five sets of 10 repetitions each, with a one-minute interval between each set. The initial load set will be 30% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), during the first two weeks to allow for an adjustment period. The IMT wil be performed two times per week for 8 weeks. NMES will be applied using an calibrated electrical stimulator (Neurodyn High Volt, IBRAMED, São Paulo/São Paulo, Brazil). The following parameters will be used: 50 Hz frequency, pulse duration of 400 µs, work cycle of 5 seconds ON and 15 seconds OFF (first month) adjusted for 10 seconds ON and 30 seconds OFF (second month) and maximum intensity tolerated during 2 times per week for 8 weeks. Pulmonary Rehabilitation The pulmonary rehabilitation will consist of aerobic and resistance exercise during 8 weeks.

DEVICE

IMT + Pulmonary Rehabilitation

IMT will be performed using the POWERbreathe® Medic Plus (POWERbreathe Medic Plus ®, SP, BR) inspiratory training device for five sets of 10 repetitions each, with a one-minute interval between each set. The initial load set will be 30% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), during the first two weeks to allow for an adjustment period. After that, load increases occurred as follows: 35% of MIP in week 3, 40% of MIP in week 4, 45% of MIP in week 5, 50% of MIP at week 6, 55% of MIP in week 7, and 60% of MIP in weeks 8. Pulmonary Rehabilitation The pulmonary rehabilitation will consist of aerobic and resistance exercise during 8 weeks.

DEVICE

NMES + Pulmonary Rehabilitation

NMES will be applied using an calibrated electrical stimulator (Neurodyn High Volt, IBRAMED, São Paulo/São Paulo, Brazil). The following parameters will be used: 50 Hz frequency, pulse duration of 400 µs, work cycle of 5 seconds ON and 15 seconds OFF (first month) adjusted for 10 seconds ON and 30 seconds OFF (second month) and maximum intensity tolerated during 2 times per week for 8 weeks. Pulmonary Rehabilitation The pulmonary rehabilitation will consist of aerobic and resistance exercise during 8 weeks.

DEVICE

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Pulmonary Rehabilitation The pulmonary rehabilitation will consist of aerobic and resistance exercise during 8 weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Isabella Albuquerque, DSc · Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

• Tamires dos Santos, MSc · Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

• Aron Silveira, DSc · Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

55 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-10-01

Primary Completion

2023-03-10

Completion

2023-03-10

Countries

• Brazil

Study Locations