Article

Aerobic and resistance exercise training programs produce an abundance of
physiologic and clinical benefits in patients with heart failure (HF). Improved
maximal aerobic capacity, submaximal aerobic endurance, muscle force production,
perceived quality of life, and skeletal muscle characteristics are among the more
established outcomes resulting from these rehabilitation techniques. Moreover,
both aerobic and resistance exercise training appear to portend a low risk to
patients with HF when appropriate exercise prescription methods are followed.
While the aforementioned training techniques will undoubtedly continue to be at
the center of a well-formulated rehabilitation program, other adjunctive
interventions, which are presently underutilized in clinical practice, may prove
beneficial in patients with HF. Specifically, both neuromuscular electrical
stimulation (NMES) and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) appear to significantly
improve several physiologic, exercise, symptomatologic, and quality-of-life
parameters. NMES targets skeletal muscle abnormalities, whereas IMT primarily
targets the weakened respiratory musculature, both often encountered in patients
with HF. A PubMed search using relevant key words identified 19 original
investigations examining the impact of NMES (13 studies) and IMT (6 studies)
training programs in patients with HF. The resultant review (1) provides a
summary of the original research outcomes of both NMES and IMT in patients with
HF; (2) addresses current research gaps, providing a direction for future
investigations; and (3) provides clinical scenarios where NMES and IMT may prove
to be beneficial during the rehabilitation of patients with HF.

Langue : ANGLAIS

Tiré à part : OUI