The Benefits of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in the Muscular and Functional Capacity of Patients With Liver Cirrhosis: Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial

Clinical Medicine Insights: Gastroenterology

Study Protocol

Thaís Martins Albanaz da Conceição¹  Carolina Luana de Mello¹  Catherine Corrêa Peruzzolo¹  Tarcila Dal Pont¹  Mariana Nunes Lúcio¹  Elaine Paulin² 

[1] Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Florianópolis, Brazil;Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Florianópolis, Brazil;Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil;Centro de Ciências da Saúde e do Esporte—CEFID, Laboratório de Fisioterapia Respiratória—LAFIR, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Florianópolis, Brazil;

关键词: Electric stimulation;    liver cirrhosis;    muscle strength;    exercise capacity;    rehabilitation;   

DOI  :  10.1177/1179552218811834

 received in 2018-02-05, accepted in 2018-10-02,  发布年份 2018

来源: Sage Journals

【 摘 要 】

Cirrhosis causes systemic and metabolic changes that culminate in various complications, such as compromised pulmonary function, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, weight loss, and muscle weakness with significant physical function limitations. Our aim is to evaluate the effects of training with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the muscular and functional capacity of patients with cirrhosis classified as Child-Pugh B and C. A total of 72 patients diagnosed with cirrhosis will be recruited and randomized to perform an NMES protocol for 50 minutes, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. The evaluations will be performed at the beginning and after 12 sessions, and patients will be submitted to a pulmonary function test, an ultrasound evaluation of the rectus femoris, an evaluation of peripheral muscle strength, a submaximal exercise capacity test associated with an evaluation of peripheral tissue oxygenation, a quality of life evaluation, and orientation about monitoring daily physical activities. The evaluators and patients will be blinded to the allocation of the groups. Training Group will be treated with the following parameters: frequency of 50 Hz, pulse width of 400 μs, rise and fall times of 2 s, and on:off 1:1; Sham Group: 5 Hz, 100 μs, on:off 1:3. The data will be analyzed using the principles of the intention to treat. This study provides health professionals with information on the benefits of this intervention. In this way, we believe that the results of this study could stimulate the use of NMES as a way of rehabilitating patients with more severe cirrhosis, with the objective of improving these patients’ functional independence.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC   
© The Author(s) 2018

【 图 表 】

Figure 6.