Comparison of the Efficacy of Neuromuscular Electrostimulation and Interval Exercise Training in Early Rehabilitation of Patients Hospitalized with Decompensation of Chronic Heart Failure

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of large muscle groups in patients with stable chronic heart failure (CHF) increases physical work capacity and muscle strength. The safety and efficacy of short courses of NMES in patients with decompensated CHF has not been studied. The aim of the study was to compare the impact of leg NMES, interval bicycle training, and conventional treatment on the functional capacity and quality of life in patients hospitalized with decompensation of CHF. A total of 51 patients (84.3% of men; mean age, 62.5 ± 3.3 years) hospitalized with decompensated CHF were divided into three groups: optimal pharmacological therapy (OPT) + three weeks of NMES of thigh and shin muscles starting within the first three days after admission (n = 10), OPT + three weeks of bicycle exercise training (BET) starting on the fifth to seventh day (n = 20), and the control group of OPT only (n = 21). At baseline and after the three-week symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test, 6-min walk test, Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) and quality of life assessment by the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) were performed. Patients in the NMES and BET groups presented with similar increases in the 6-min walk distance, plus 65.0 (50.0; 112.5) and 53.0 (51.0; 78; 0) m; DASI, plus 8.6 (5.5; 11.8) and 8.0 (4.5; 9.0) points; and VO2peak, plus 1.9 (0.3; 3.2) and 2.2 (0.7; 3.2) mL/(min kg), respectively. In the control group, only the 6-min walk distance increased significantly (+21 m). The improvement in the MLHFQ score was observed in all the three groups: maximal in the BET group and minimal in the NMES group. Three weeks of leg muscle electrical stimulation and bicycle training provide similar improvement in physical capacity, daily activity, and the quality of life in patients hospitalized for severe CHF. The efficacy of NMES is comparable with low to moderate intensity interval bicycle training and well tolerated by patients.