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Low-frequency electrical stimulation increases muscle strength and improves blood supply in patients with chronic

Petr Dobsák1, Marie Nováková, Jarmila Siegelová

  • 1Department of Functional Diagnostics and Rehabilitation.

Circulation Journal : Official Journal of the Japanese Circulation Society
|December 27, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Low-frequency electrical stimulation (LFES) significantly improved muscle strength and blood flow velocity in patients with severe chronic heart failure (CHF). This non-invasive therapy may be a beneficial treatment option for individuals with advanced heart failure.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Rehabilitation Science
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Advanced chronic heart failure (CHF) significantly impairs muscle function and peripheral circulation.
  • Current treatment options for severe CHF have limitations in addressing muscle-related complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of low-frequency electrical stimulation (LFES) in enhancing muscle strength and blood flow in patients with advanced CHF.
  • To determine if LFES can be a viable therapeutic intervention for improving physical function in severe heart failure.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 15 patients with advanced CHF (NYHA III-IV, EF 18.7%) underwent 6 weeks of daily LFES (10 Hz) on lower limb muscles.
  • Muscle strength was assessed weekly using dynamometry (maximal muscle strength and isokinetic peak torque).
  • Blood flow velocity (BFV) in the femoral artery was measured using Doppler velocimetry before and after the 6-week intervention period.

Main Results:

  • LFES significantly increased maximal muscle strength (Fmax) by over 50% (p<0.001) and isokinetic peak torque (PTmax) by over 40% (p<0.01).
  • Femoral artery blood flow velocity (BFV) showed a significant increase of approximately 35% after 6 weeks of LFES (p<0.05).
  • Resting BFV did not show significant changes, suggesting improved dynamic blood supply during activity.

Conclusions:

  • Six weeks of LFES demonstrated significant improvements in muscle strength and blood supply in patients with severe CHF.
  • LFES presents a promising, non-invasive therapeutic strategy that could be recommended for managing patients with advanced chronic heart failure.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects and optimal parameters for LFES in CHF populations.
Abstract

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