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Randomised feasibility trial into the effects of low-frequency electrical muscle stimulation in advanced heart failure patients

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Author
Ennis, Stuart
McGregor, Gordon
Hamborg, Thomas
Jones, Helen
Shave, Rob
Singh, Sally
Banerjee, Prithwish
Date
2017-08-11
Acceptance date
2017-07-07
Type
Article
Publisher
BMJ Open
ISSN
2044-6055 (ESSN)
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Abstract
Objectives Low-frequency electrical muscle stimulation (LF-EMS) may have the potential to reduce breathlessness and increase exercise capacity in the chronic heart failure population who struggle to adhere to conventional exercise. The study’s aim was to establish if a randomised controlled trial of LF-EMS was feasible. Design and setting Double blind (participants, outcome assessors), randomised study in a secondary care outpatient cardiac rehabilitation programme. Participants Patients with severe heart failure (New York Heart Association class III–IV) having left ventricular ejection fraction <40% documented by echocardiography were eligible. Interventions Participants were randomised (remotely by computer) to 8 weeks (5×60 mins per week) of either LF-EMS intervention (4 Hz, continuous, n=30) or sham placebo (skin level stimulation only, n=30) of the quadriceps and hamstrings muscles. Participants used the LF-EMS straps at home and were supervised weekly Outcome measures Recruitment, adherence and tolerability to the intervention were measured during the trial as well as physiological outcomes (primary outcome: 6 min walk, secondary outcomes: quadriceps strength, quality of life and physical activity). Results Sixty of 171 eligible participants (35.08%) were recruited to the trial. 12 (20%) of the 60 patients (4 LF-EMS and 8 sham) withdrew. Forty-one patients (68.3%), adhered to the protocol for at least 70% of the sessions. The physiological measures indicated no significant differences between groups in 6 min walk distance(p=0.13) and quality of life (p=0.55) although both outcomes improved more with LF-EMS. Conclusion Patients with severe heart failure can be recruited to and tolerate LF-EMS studies. A larger randomised controlled trial (RCT) in the advanced heart failure population is technically feasible, although adherence to follow-up would be challenging. The preliminary improvements in exercise capacity and quality of life were minimal and this should be considered if planning a larger trial. Trial registration number ISRCTN16749049
Journal/conference proceeding
BMJ Open
Citation
Ennis S., McGregor G., Hamborg T., Jones, H., Shave, R., Singh, S. and Banerjee, P. (2017) 'Randomised feasibility trial into the effects of low-frequency electrical muscle stimulation in advanced heart failure patients' BMJ Open 7:e016148
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10369/8749
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016148
Description
This article was published open access in BMJ Open on 11 August 2017 (online), available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17511321.2017.1351484
Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Sponsorship
Cardiff Metropolitan University (Grant ID: Cardiff Metropolian (Internal))
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