Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation After Lung Transplantation

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation After Lung Transplantation: Randomized Clinical Trial.

Pulmonary transplantation aims to increase patient survival and quality of life in relation to functional aspects. It is observed that the decrease in muscle mass and pulmonary changes are some complications that can be found in the post-transplant patient due to immobility. Thus, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) rehabilitation is of paramount importance for the recovery of the individual, both in the functional aspects, and in the minimization in the time of hospitalization.The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of NMES on the thickness and strength of the quadriceps femoris muscle, pulmonary function, endothelial function, functional capacity, muscle biochemical markers, arterial blood gas analysis and water balance of patients after lung transplantation through a randomized clinical trial. Patients will be randomized into two groups: EENM group: will receive the application of NMES associated with physiotherapy and control group: who will receive only the physiotherapy protocol of the Hospital of Clinics of Porto Alegre (HCPA) and Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre.

Pulmonary transplantation aims to increase patient survival and quality of life in relation to functional aspects. It is observed that the decrease in muscle mass and pulmonary changes are some complications that can be found in the post-transplant patient due to immobility. Thus, NMES rehabilitation is of paramount importance for the recovery of the individual, both in the functional aspects, and in the minimization in the time of hospitalization.The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of NMES on the thickness and strength of the quadriceps femoris muscle, pulmonary function, endothelial function, functional capacity, muscle biochemical markers, arterial blood gas analysis and water balance of patients after lung transplantation through a randomized clinical trial. Patients will be randomized into two groups: EENM group: will receive the application of NMES associated with physiotherapy and control group: who will receive only the physiotherapy protocol of the HCPA. The NMES training will be applied once a day (30 minutes of application per session, increasing one minute every two days and reducing the OFF time), until the discharge of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The patient will continue with the application also in the Hospitalization Units of the HCPA and Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre until the hospital discharge. The following outcomes will be evaluated: thickness and strength of the quadriceps muscle, pulmonary function, endothelial function, functional capacity, mobility, muscle biochemical markers, arterial blood gas analysis, water balance and length of stay in the ICU, time and success of weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation and survival rate through medical records analysis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Bilateral and Unilateral lung transplant;
• After extubation of invasive mechanical ventilation up to 48 hours for stable patients;
• After extubation of invasive mechanical ventilation up to 72 hours for those who are present in the instability;
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Cystic fibrosis
• Fibrotic pulmonary idiopathic

Exclusion Criteria:

• Skin lesions at the electrode placement points.