Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Exercise for Quality of Life in Hospitalized Chronic Heart Failure

Samaneh  Dezhbarar; SedighehSadat  Naimi; Soulmaz  Rahbar

doi:10.18502/jmr.v20i1.21030

Samaneh Dezhbarar Department of Physiotherapy, Physiotherapy Research Center, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
SedighehSadat Naimi Department of Physiotherapy, Physiotherapy Research Center, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Soulmaz Rahbar Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmr.v20i1.21030

Keywords: Electrical stimulation; Exercise therapy; Heart failure; Quality of life

Abstract

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases, which is considered a progressive and debilitating disorder. One of the main problems in these patients is frequent hospitalizations due to the exacerbation of symptoms. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the simultaneous effect of muscle electrical stimulation (ES) and exercise therapy on quality of life and functional capacity in hospitalized patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Materials and Methods: The present study included 40 hospitalized patients with chronic HF among the volunteers, who were randomly divided into two groups of 20 patients. The first group underwent cardiac rehabilitation that included resistance training (RT) and muscle electrical stimulation (RT+ES). The second group received only a RT program, which consisted of performing three leg presses, cuff presses, and triceps movements with a theraband. Functional capacity and quality of life were evaluated before and after the intervention.

Results: Quality of life index in the RT+ES group increased more than that in the RT group (P≤0.05). Although the functional capacity in both groups increased compared to the pre-test (P≤0.05), there were no significant differences between the two groups (P≥0.05).

Conclusion: RT with ES during hospitalization improves the quality of life and functional capacity of patients with CHF.