Effects of Combined Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Voluntary Muscular Contraction on Interstitial Lung Disease

[Purpose] Patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) tend to be bedridden due to dyspnea, and consequently muscle atrophy becomes a concern. For the treatment of such patients, there has been interest in neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). Since the effect of NMES on ILD patients has not been established, we examined the effect of NMES in combination with voluntary muscular contraction. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 58 ILD patients. The intervention group (n=25) received NMES, while the control group (n=33) received no intervention. In addition, a Nagasaki University ADL evaluation table (NRADL) total of 56 points or less was used to determine the NRADL low value group (n=36), and sub-analysis of the intervention and control groups was performed. Knee extension strength (QF), endurance (6MWD), NRADL, quality of life (QOL) were measured before and after the intervention. [Results] QF and 6MWD significantly improved in the intervention group compared to the control group. Whereas, ADL and QOL showed no significant differences between the groups. In the sub-analysis, QF, 6MWD, NRADL and QOL significantly improved in the intervention group. [Conclusion] NMES for ILD was effective in improving muscle strength and endurance during hospitalization. Moreover, the effect of NMES was higher when the NRADL was 56 points or less.