Chest
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Functional and muscular effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in patients with severe COPD: a randomized clinical trial.
The mechanisms through which neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) training may improve limb muscle function and exercise tolerance in COPD are poorly understood. We investigated the functional and muscular effects of NMES in advanced COPD. ⋯ In patients with severe COPD, NMES improved muscle CSA. This was associated with a more favorable muscle anabolic to catabolic balance. Improvement in walking distance after NMES training was associated with gains in muscle strength, reduced ventilation during walking, and the ability to tolerate higher stimulation intensity. Trial registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT00874965; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.
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Editorial Comment
Obstructive sleep apnea: the elephant in the cardiovascular room.