BACKGROUND: We investigated the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) training prior to endurance training in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and severe pulmonary obstruction. METHODS: Fourteen patients with CF (FEV1 35 +/- 11% pred) were prospectively randomized to either a 6 week NMES training program (n = 7) or a 6 week control period (n = 7) both followed by ergocycle training (8 weeks) (NMES+ERGO and control+ERGO groups). Measurements were pulmonary function, mid-thigh circumference, quadriceps strength, 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), maximal exercise capacity on a cycloergometer, plasma biomarkers, insulin resistance (HOMA indexes) and quality of life (CFQ14+, BDI-TDI). RESULTS: NMES+ERGO greatly improved mid-thigh circumference (+2.6 +/- 0.9 versus -0.4 +/- 1.4 cm), quadriceps strength (+6 +/- 5 versus -2 +/- 2 kg) and BMI (+0.6 +/- 0.6 versus -0.5 +/- 0.7 kg/m2) compared with control+ERGO (p < 0.05). No differences between groups were found in exercise induced changes in 6MWD and maximal exercise capacity. However, dyspnea after the 6MWT, HOMA-R, physical function and health perception domains of the CFQ14+ improved after NMES+ERGO compared with control+ERGO (p < 0.05). Significant correlations were found between changes in mid-thigh circumference and muscle strength, ventilation requirements during exercise, insulin sensibility and the physical functioning section of CFQ14+ (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: NMES training performed prior to endurance training is useful for strengthening peripheral muscles which in turn may augment gains in bodyweight and quality of life, further reductions in ventilation requirements during exercise and retard insulin resistance in CF patients with severe pulmonary obstruction. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00391703.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher