Shock therapy for lungs? electrical zaps may boost exercise in COPD

NCT ID NCT06851195

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether using a device that sends mild electrical pulses to the leg muscles can help people with COPD feel more confident about exercise, reduce shortness of breath during activity, and lessen fatigue. Forty patients with mild to severe COPD will receive the stimulation along with standard pulmonary rehab for 8 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in self-efficacy, breathlessness, and fatigue using questionnaires and a physical performance test.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

lower limb neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) device

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way to help COPD patients feel more confident exercising, with less shortness of breath and fatigue.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage study with only 40 participants and no control group, so results may not be generalizable. The device may cause discomfort or skin irritation, and benefits might be modest.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Fatigue

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital

    Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 807378, Taiwan