Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) as an adjunct to pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD

Quadriceps neuromuscular electrical stimultaion (NMES) as an adjunct to pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD and quadriceps weakness - a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN40579508

Enrollment

108

Registered

2017-12-14

Start date

2018-01-02

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2019-10-29

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Chronic lower respiratory diseases Respiratory Chronic lower respiratory diseases

Interventions

Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups: the control or the intervention group. Control Group: “Sham” bilateral NMES of the quadriceps for 30 minutes daily for eight

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Aged =40 years 2. Confirmed diagnosis of COPD according to GOLD guidelines 3. Referred for outpatient PR 4. Quadriceps muscle weakness defined as quadriceps maximum voluntary contraction (QMVC, kg) / Body Mass Index (BMI, kg/m2) ratio =1.2 5. Able to provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Any condition that precludes providing informed consent e.g. cognitive impairment or inadequate English 2. Participation in an exclusively home-based pulmonary rehabilitation programme 3. Predominant neuromuscular or joint limitation to walking or cycling 4. Co-existing progressive neurological or neuromuscular condition 5. Contraindication for unsupervised use of NMES including pregnancy, implanted cardiac pacemaker, skin abrasion, metallic lower limb prosthesis 6. Formal supervised pulmonary rehabilitation in the preceding six months 7. Unstable cardiac conditions including unstable angina, unstable congestive heart failure, severe aortic stenosis, suspected aortic aneurysm 8. Active or suspected thromboembolic disease including recent pulmonary embolism 9. An acute exacerbation requiring antibiotics within the preceding four weeks

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Cycle endurance measured using constant work rate test at 80% workload at baseline and eight-weeks.	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Walking exercise capacity measured using incremental shuttle walk test (ISW) and endurance shuttle walk test (ESW) at baseline and eight-weeks 2. Functional performance measured using short physical performance battery (SPPB), stair climb power test (SCPT) and the self-paced step test at baseline and eight weeks 3. Lower limb muscle strength and mass as measured by quadriceps maximal voluntary contraction, bioelectrical impedance analysis and ultrasound at baseline and eight weeks 4. Health related quality of life as measured by COPD assessment test and EQ5D5L at baseline and eight-weeks	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Walking exercise capacity measured using incremental shuttle walk test (ISW) and endurance shuttle walk test (ESW) at baseline and eight-weeks 2. Functional performance measured using short physical performance battery (SPPB), stair climb power test (SCPT) and the self-paced step test at baseline and eight weeks 3. Lower limb muscle strength and mass as measured by quadriceps maximal voluntary contraction, bioelectrical impedance analysis and ultrasound at baseline and eight weeks 4. Health related quality of life as measured by COPD assessment test and EQ5D5L at baseline and eight-weeks

—

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026