Comparison of Different Intensity Modes of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in the Rehabilitation of Elderly Patients with Decompensated Chronic Heart Failure

Aim        To compare effects of neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES) with various intensity of induced muscle contractions on its tolerance and effect on physical work ability in elderly patients admitted for chronic heart failure (CHF).

Material and methods        The study included 22 patients older than 60 years admitted for decompensated CHF. NMES was performed from the 2nd or 3d day of stay in the hospital to the discharge from the hospital. Patients choose the stimulation regimen themselves based on the result of the first session: the high intensity to achieve maximum tolerable muscle contractions (group 1) or the lower intensity to achieve visible/ palpable muscle contractions (group 2). Prior to the onset and after the completion of the training, the 6-min walk test (6MWT) was performed and the general condition of the patient was assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS).

Results   More patients, mostly women, chose the less intensive NMES (14 vs. 8). The groups did not differ in age, comorbidity, and functional condition. Both groups achieved considerable increases in the 6MWT distance (7.3 [5.6; 176] and 9.8 [7.0; 9.9] %, respectively, p>0.05) and VAS scores without a significant difference between the groups. Among the patients who were compliant with continuing NMES after the discharge from the hospital, 69% were patients of the group of the less intensive stimulation.

Conclusion            The less intensive NMES (with achieving visible muscle contractions) was characterized by better tolerance and better compliance in elderly patients with decompensated CHF compared to the more intensive NMES (with achieving maximum contractions), but the less intensive NMES was not inferior to the more intensive NMES in effectiveness.

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