Abstract
OBJECTIVE: the study aimed to analyze the therapeutic effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with respiratory muscle training (RMT) on patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: 135 patients with moderate/severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were selected as the research object and randomly selected. 72 cases were divided into rehabilitation group and 63 cases in control group. 63 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination in the same period were also included in the internal control group (blank group). Data on pulmonary function parameters (FEV(1), FEV(1)%pred, FEV(1)/FVC ratio), blood gas analysis parameters (arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO(2)), carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO(2)), and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO(2))), and anxiety and depression scores were collected before and after the intervention for the RG, CG, and BG. Additionally, the COPD assessment test (CAT) scores were recorded for both the RG and CG. RESULTS: following intervention, PaO(2) was clearly reduced, and PaCO(2) and SaO(2) were visibly higher in subjects; PaO(2) was clearly reduced, and PaCO(2) and SaO(2) were visibly higher in the RG as against the CG; Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), percentage of predicted FEV(1) (FEV(1)%pred), and FEV(1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) in subjects were visibly higher, and FEV(1)%pred and FEV(1)/FVC were visibly higher in the RG as against the CG; The CAT scores and anxiety and depression scores in subjects were clearly reduced, and those were clearly reduced in the RG as against the CG (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: NMES and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) exercise training can visibly improve the lung function, oxygenation capacity, carbon dioxide exhalation, and quality of life (QoL) in COPD patients, effectively alleviating anxiety and depression.