Neuromuscular magnetic stimulation of the quadriceps muscle after COPD exacerbations

Objective: To demonstrate the efficacy of a neuromuscular magnetic stimulation (NMMS) rehabilitation treatment after hospital admission because of COPD exacerbation. Patients and methods: Prospective, randomized, double blind, sham training controlled clinical trial (Clinicaltrials [NCT01264978][1]). 35 COPD patients were included during hospitalization for COPD exacerbation. Treatment began less than 7 days after hospital discharge, either with sham or increasing intensity bilateral 15 minutes NMMS–training sessions, 3 times/week, during 8 weeks. A Medtronic Magpro electromagnet and several refrigerated 60 mm circular stimulation coils were employed (Bustamante et al. Respir Med. 2010;104:237-45). Baseline and follow-up evaluations at 4, 8 and 12 weeks included: quadriceps supramaximal Twitch (Magstim 200, after Polkey, Muscle Nerve 1996;19: 549-55), maximal voluntary contraction of the quadriceps; 6MWT, CRQ, SF36, BODE and physical activity (accelerometers). Patient characteristics at baseline were: age 69 ± 8.5, 6/29 female/male, BODE 3.91 (2,2), 6MWT: 321,25m ± 131, FEV1 43,9% ± 14.7, SaO2 95% ± 1.45. View this table: Change in parameters Conclusions: Our data show that NMMS can be a safe means to achieve a faster improvement in muscle function, exercise performance and quality of life in COPD patients recovering after an exacerbation. [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT01264978&atom=%2Ferj%2F42%2FSuppl_57%2FP3572.atom