OBJECTIVE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a major public health problem. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the possible effects of upper extremity exercises and neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy applied to auxiliary respiratory muscles on arterial blood gases, blood pressure, heart rate values, and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients who were diagnosed with stage 4 severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by a pulmonologist and who needed intensive care were included in the study. The patients were equally allocated into two groups containing 15 patients each: control and intervention. Both groups were given an unassisted upper extremity exercise program for four weeks, and only one group was given neuromuscular electrical stimulation on auxiliary respiratory muscles for 10 days. Arterial blood gas measurements, peak heart rate, and breathing frequency were recorded. St George's Respiratory Questionnaire and short form-36 were performed for the evaluation of the quality of life. Functional capacity was determined by functional independent measurement. Evaluations of the patients were performed on the 1st, 8th, 15th, and 30th days of the study. RESULTS: There were statistically significant improvements in peak heart rate, breathing frequency per minute, and functional independency scores in the group where exercise and neuromuscular electrical stimulation had been concomitantly applied (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study revealed positive effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in addition with therapeutic exercises on the cardiorespiratory system in the short run.

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