Effects of functional electrical stimulation on quality of life and emotional stress in patients with chronic heart failure secondary to ischaemic or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: A randomised, placebo‐controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) improves exercise capacity and endothelial function in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. This study evaluates the impact of FES on quality of life and emotional stress in patients with moderate to severe CHF. Methods: Thirty patients with stable CHF (24 men; NYHA class II-III; left ventricular ejection fraction b35%) were randomly assigned (2:1) to a 6-week FES training program (n = 20) or placebo (n = 10). Questionnaires addressing quality of life [Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), functional and overall], and emotional stress [Zung self-rating depression scale (SDS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)], as well as plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and 6-min walking distance test (6MWT) were assessed at baseline and after completion of training protocol. Results: A significant improvement in KCCQ functional (F = 76.666, p b 0.001), KCCQ overall (F = 41.508, p b 0.001), BDI (F = 17.768, p b 0.001) and Zung SDS (F = 27.098, p b 0.001) was observed in the FES group compared to placebo. Patients in the FES group had also a significant increase in 6MWT (F = 19.413, p b 0.001) and a trend towards reduction in plasma BNP (F = 4.252, p = 0.053) compared to placebo. Conclusion: FES seems to have a beneficial effect on quality of life, exercise capacity and emotional stress in patients with moderate to severe CHF.

Guidelines for Rehabilitation in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease (JCS 2012)

“…Recently, improvement in QOL has been reported in high-intensity interval training 40,73-75 and electrical muscle stimulation therapy in patients with severe heart failure. 76 Further studies are required to establish evidence.…”

Association Between Blood Pressure Lowering and Quality of Life by Treatment of Azilsartan

“…34) Accumulating evidence suggests that CR, such as exercise training for patients with CHF, can improve HR-QOL. 20,35) Thus, early detection and appropriate intervention into depression would be greatly needed in addition to treatment for background CVDs. 36,37) Relative to other CVD, such as CAD and CHF, the impact of HT on HR-QOL may be less, but it is reported that psychosocial factors contribute to the development of HT, and a higher level of BP induced more physical, emotional, and psychosocial impairments.…”

Application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the lower limb skeletal muscles in the rehabilitation of patients with chronic heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

“…The research demonstrated that the application of NMES in patients with CHF results in improvement of exercise tolerance indicators, such as: increased peak oxygen consumption, increased anaerobic threshold, increased duration of exercise tests and greater distance covered during the 6MWT test [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. After a series of NMES treatment sessions, increased muscle endurance was also noted in patients with CHF [12].…”

“…In patients with CHF, the duration of muscle contraction was short and amounted to approx. 2 seconds [13,21,22] or 5-6 seconds [9,12,17] with contractions lasting about 10 seconds [11] or even 20 seconds [14,15] being used less often. The relaxation period lasted as long as the contraction or 2-3 times longer at most [13,21,22].…”

“…In rare cases, patients with class IV symptoms also participated in the research. Some of the participants were either after a heart transplant or qualified for heart transplant surgery [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20].…”