STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the structural and functional consequences of high-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation (hf-NMES) in a group of moderately impaired outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). DESIGN: A prospective, cross-over randomized trial. SETTING: An university-based, tertiary center. PATIENTS AND MATERIALS: Seventeen patients (FEV1 49.6 +/- 13.4% predicted, Medical Research Council dyspnoea grades II to III) underwent 6-weeks hf-NMES (50 Hz) and sham stimulation of the quadriceps femoris in a randomized, cross-over design. Knee strength was measured by isokinetic dynamometry (peak torque) and leg muscle mass (LMM) by DEXA; in addition, median cross-sectional area (CSA) of type I and II fibres and capillary-fibre ratio were evaluated in the vastus lateralis. The 6-min walking distance (6MWD) was also determined. RESULTS: At baseline, patients presented with well-preserved functional capacity, muscle strength and mass: there was a significant relationship between strength and type II CSA (p < 0.05). NMES was not associated with significant changes in peak torque, LMM or 6MWD as compared to sham (p > 0.05). At micro-structural level, however, electrical stimulation increased type II, but decreased type I, CSA; no change, however, was found in the relative fibre distribution or capillary:fibre ratio (p < 0.05). There was no significant association between individual changes in structure and function with training (p > 0.05). Post-NMES increase in type II CSA was inversely related to baseline mass and strength (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: NMES may promote a modest degree of type II muscle fibre hypertrophy in COPD patients with well-preserved functional status. These micro-structural changes, however, were not translated into increased volitional strength in this sub-population.

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