Acute Effect of Whole-body Electrical Stimulation in COPD Patients

Patients with COPD will be submitted to two whole body electrostimulation protocols, with an interval of one week between them. Miha Bodytec equipment will be properly calibrated, with electrodes on the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, biceps, triceps, pectorals, abdomen, trapezius, latissimus dorsi and quadratus lumborum muscles. Symmetric pulsed biphasic current will be used, pulse width of 400µs, frequency of 75Hz, contraction time of five seconds, rest time of 10 seconds. Protocol 1 will take eight minutes resulting in 32 muscle contractions, and protocol 2 will take 16 minutes resulting in 64 muscle contractions. Initially, patients will undergo an assessment of autonomic control. Then, blood collection will be performed, the serum lactate level will be checked and muscle strength will be measured. Verification of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate and perception of dyspnea and fatigue (BORG) will occur immediately before and after the whole body electrical stimulation session. During the protocol, peripheral oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate and BORG will be checked. After the session, the serum lactate level will be checked, a new blood collection will be performed and autonomic control and muscle strength will be reassessed. After 24, 48 and 72 hours, new blood samples will be collected and muscle pain will be measured.