Transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation (TCEMS) is well established intervention for rehabilitation of clinically stable patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The investigators have conceived this study to test whether TCEMS is feasible and tolerated by patients experiencing severe physical and psychical challenge of acutely exacerbated COPD.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
19
On the first hospitalization day patients received lower extremity TCEMS. We used GymnaUniphy device (GymnaUniphy N.V., 2004, 3740 Bilzen, Belgium) with four surface patch electrodes applied over each lower extremity quadriceps muscle. Patients were in the supine position and were advised to relax during sessions. A prespecified program for lower extremity strength training in sessions of 25 minutes, twice a day (first training in the morning, second in the afternoon, with minimal time difference of 6 hours) was performed six days per week during the hospitalization.
University Clinic Golnik
Golnik, Slovenia
Scores on the feasibility scale
Patients will be followed from admission until discharge
Time frame: 10 days (avarage time from admission to discharge)
Scores on the patient satisfaction scale
Patients will be followed from admission until discharge
Time frame: 10 days (avarage time from admission to discharge)
Number of patients with adverse events as a measure of Safety and tolerability
Patients will be followed from admission until discharge
Time frame: 10 days (avarage time from admission to discharge)
Health related quality of life on the St. George respiratory questionnaire
Patients will be followed from admission until discharge
Time frame: 10 days (avarage time from admission to discharge)
Dyspnea on the MRC dyspnea scale
Patients will be followed from admission until discharge
Time frame: 10 days (avarage time from admission to discharge)
Patient symptom scores on the Functional assessment of chronic illness therapy questionaire
Patients will be followed from admission until discharge
Time frame: 10 days (avarage time from admission to discharge)
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