Chronic Effect of Whole-body Electrical Stimulation in COPD Patients

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will undergo a 16-session whole-body electrical stimulation (WB-EMS) protocol or a pulmonary rehabilitation program, twice a week, for eight weeks. The 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. Symmetrical pulsed biphasic current will be used, pulse width of 400 µs, frequency of 75 Hz. In the first two weeks, the contraction time will be five seconds and the rest time will be 10 seconds, the session will last 16 minutes, resulting in 64 muscle contractions. In weeks 3, 4 and 5, the contraction time will be five seconds and the rest time will be five seconds, the session will last 16 minutes, resulting in 96 muscle contractions. In weeks 6, 7 and 8, the contraction time will be five seconds and the rest time will be five seconds. The session will last 20 minutes, resulting in 120 muscle contractions. During the first two minutes of stimulation, the patient will remain in isometric position to familiarize themselves with the electrical current. After that, a series of squats, biceps and triceps exercises (using a proprioception stick), abdominal exercises and climbing up and down a step will be performed. At the end of each session, patients will do aerobic exercise (bicycle or treadmill). Pulmonary rehabilitation will consist of muscle strengthening exercises, using weights, ankle weights and weight training equipment. Squats, biceps and triceps exercises (with weights), knee flexion and extension (equipment with weights) and stretching will be performed. At the end of each session, patients will do aerobic exercise (bicycle or treadmill). Peripheral muscle strength (dynamometry), respiratory muscle strength (maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressure), muscle thickness (ultrasound), functional capacity (6MWT), quality of life (Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire), inflammatory profile (PCR, IL-6 e IL-10, TNFα), oxidative stress (protein oxidation, superoxide dismutase and catalase, total hydrogen sulfides, dichlorofluorescein diacetate) will be assessed before and after the 16 sessions.