Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
Transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)
of leg muscles is a technique in which involuntary muscle contraction
is elicited, and selected muscles can thereby be trained
(41, 42). Muscle contraction induced by electrical stimulation
does not lead to dyspnea; poses minimal cardiocirculatory demand
(43, 44); and bypasses the cognitive, motivational, and
psychological aspects involved in conventional exercise that
may hinder or prevent effective exercise training.
NMES is safe, generally well tolerated, improves leg muscle
strength and exercise capacity, and reduces dyspnea in stable
outpatients with severe COPD and poor baseline exercise tolerance
(41). NMES can be continued during COPD exacerbations
(45–47). The duration of these benefits has not been studied.