Comparison of oxygen uptake during cycle ergometry with and without functional electrical stimulation in patients with COPD: protocol for a randomised, single-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial.
BACKGROUND
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has systemic repercussions that can lead to peripheral muscle dysfunction. Muscle atrophy reduces aerobic capacity, greatly limiting activities of daily living and quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation is the gold standard treatment for these patients, however, patients may not be able to reach sufficient training intensities for benefits to occur. Technologies such as functional electrical stimulation (FES) are currently being adapted and tested to enhance exercise training. We hypothesise that FES coupled with cycling (FES-cycling) will improve maximal uptake of oxygen (VO2) and aerobic capacity more than endurance training with placebo stimulation.


METHODS
A randomised, single-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial will be carried out to evaluate the effects of FES-cycling on VO2 during endurance exercise on a cycle ergometer in patients with COPD. 25 patients with COPD will carry out two 30 min sessions at a constant load; one session with active and one with placebo FES. The primary outcome is oxygen uptake recorded with a metabolic measurement system. Secondary outcomes include ventilation equivalent for oxygen, ventilation equivalent for carbon dioxide, cardiac output, lactate values, perceived dyspnoea and perceived muscle fatigue.


CONCLUSIONS
Approval has been granted by our Institutional Review Board (Comité de Protection des Personnes Nord-Ouest 3). The results of the trial will be presented at national and international meetings and published in peer-reviewed journals.


BACKGROUND
NCT02594722.
Pulmonology Department, Groupe Hospitalier du Havre, Montivilliers, France; Groupe de Recherche sur le Handicap Ventilatoire, UPRES EA 3830, Haute-Normandie Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Rouen University, Rouen, France.
Clément
C
Medrinal
Pulmonology Department , Groupe Hospitalier du Havre , Montivilliers , France.
Guillaume
G
Prieur
Unité de Physiologie Respiratoire et Sportive , Hôpital de Bois Guillaume, CHU de Rouen , Rouen , France.
David
D
Debeaumont
Intensive Care Unit Department , Groupe Hospitalier du Havre , Montivilliers , France.
Aurora
A
Robledo Quesada
Physiotherapy Department , Groupe Hospitalier du Havre , Montivilliers , France.
Yann
Y
Combret
Pulmonology Department , Hôpital Jacques Monod , Montivilliers , France.
Jean
J
Quieffin
University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO) , Lausanne , Switzerland.
Olivier
O
Contal
Intensive Care Unit, Respiratory Department, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France; Groupe de Recherche sur le Handicap Ventilatoire, UPRES EA 3830, Haute-Normandie Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Rouen University, Rouen, France.
Bouchra
B
Lamia
COPD Pathology; Equipment Evaluations; Exercise; Pulmonary Rehabilitation