A randomized trial comparing the effects of electrical stimulation of the quadriceps muscle and decreased trigger sensitivity plus exercise breathing after discharge on mechanically ventilated patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to those receiving standard care in terms of 30-day mortality, hospital readmission, and health-related quality of life

Background To compare the effectiveness of ES and TS plus exercise breathing after discharge on mechanically ventilated patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to those receiving standard care in terms of 30-day mortality, hospital readmission, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Patients and methods The current study was a randomized controlled trial. It included 108 newly admitted patients with COPD to RICU, Chest Department, Assiut University Hospital, Egypt, between June 2018 and May 2020. They were divided into two groups: group I received the usual care plus ES and TS plus breathing exercise, and group II received the usual care alone. Thirty-day mortality, hospital readmission, and HRQOL assessed by MFR-28 were recorded and evaluated. Student t test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi 2 test, and Fisher exact test were performed to analyze the data. Results A total of 108 patients with COPD were included. Early rehabilitation program (ES and TS) plus exercise breathing for patients with COPD in the ICU showed decreased 30-day mortality, decreased hospital readmission, and improved HRQOL as compared with patients with COPD who received usual care. Conclusion Patients with COPD who were treated with an early rehabilitation program (ES and TS) combined with exercise breathing had a better prognosis and a higher QOL. Clinical trial.gov The study was registered under NCT03253380.