Effect of Core Stabilization Exercises and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Effect of Core Stabilization Exercises and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Randomized Controlled Trial

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) refers to various diseases that occur idiopathic or secondary to some causes, commonly affecting the lung parenchyma, and present with varying degrees of inflammation and fibrosis. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) progressing with progressive shortness of breath causes a decrease in exercise capacity and quality of life, restrictive changes in pulmonary function tests and a decrease in diffusion capacity. It has been reported that core stabilization exercises improve respiratory function, respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity in healthy individuals and some disease groups. It has also been reported that neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) applied to lower extremity, upper extremity and back or quadriceps muscles reduces dynamic hyperinflation and dyspnea during exercise and increases exercise capacity in COPD patients.No studies have been performed using core stabilization exercises and NMES in IPF patients. It can be assumed that this therapeutic intervention may also be useful in IPF.

Our study was planned to investigate the efficacy of core stabilization exercises and NMES in patients with IPF.

Stable idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis will be included in the study from the Istanbul Yedikule Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital. Patients will be randomized into 2 groups; Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) and Core Stabilization Exercises Training Group (n: 18): 2 days per week for 6 weeks duration. The demographic measurements, respiratory function test, respiratory muscle strength, dyspnea, 6 minutes walking test, quality of life, depression and clinical characteristics and physical fitness of the patients will be recorded. The following parameters will be evaluated before and after the training of the patients in the two groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinically stable
• Having no infection or exacerbation in the last 3 months
• Having no uncontrolled cardiological, psychological problems
• Having no neoplasm, sarcoidosis or collagen vascular diseases
• Having no neurological, inner ear or orthopedic disease
• Patients who volunteered to study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Over 75 years,
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Acute coronary artery disease,
• Collagen vascular disease,
• Pneumoconiosis,
• Sarcoidosis,
• Cancer
• Non-parenchymal restrictive lung disease and other serious comorbid conditions,
• Oxygen saturation in room air at rest <80%
• During acute exacerbation,
• Echocardiography RVSP> 50 mmHg
• Patients taking more than 20mg corticosteroid per day
• Contraindications to apply the neuromuscular electrical stimulation (pace maker, sensory defects, etc...)