Isolated Resistance Training Program Versus Combined With Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Femoral Quadriceps in Patients With Femoral Intra Aortic Balloon Pump: a Randomized Controlled Trial

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of a standardized exercise program alone versus the same program combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in patients with heart failure who are using a femoral intra-aortic balloon pump. This randomized clinical trial aims to study muscle characteristics such as echo intensity, cross-sectional area, thickness, and pennation angle of the rectus femoris muscle, as well as muscle strength and neuromuscular excitability. The study is designed to address muscle loss and weakness due to bed rest required by the balloon pump treatment. The trial compares two groups: one performing resisted knee extension exercises alone, and the other performing the same exercises synchronized with NMES applied to the femoral quadriceps muscle. Resistance is set based on a one-repetition maximum test and adjusted throughout the intervention. The program runs for 21 days with sessions five days a week, followed by a 14-day follow-up period. Muscle architecture, strength, and neuromuscular excitability are measured at baseline, after 10 and 15 days of intervention, and 14 days after the last session. Participants will undergo assessments including ultrasound scans of the rectus femoris muscle, strength testing with dynamometry, and monitoring of vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation before and after interventions. Adverse events will be tracked during the intervention period. The overall study duration is 32 days, with detailed evaluations to understand the impact of combining NMES with resistance training in this patient group.

Isolated Resistance Training and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Patients With Femoral Intra Aortic Balloon Pump.