Hospital workout boost for COPD patients shows promise
NCT ID NCT05480566
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looked at whether adding functional strength training and neuromuscular electrical stimulation to usual hospital care helps people with COPD exacerbations recover better. The 35 participants did exercises like sit-to-stand and received mild electrical pulses to their thigh muscles. The goal was to improve their ability to stand up from a chair repeatedly and reduce breathlessness and fatigue.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- functional strength training and neuromuscular electrical stimulation
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this approach could help COPD patients leave the hospital stronger and with less shortness of breath and fatigue.
- What could go wrong
- The trial was terminated early with only 35 participants, so results are limited. It is unclear if the added therapy provides meaningful benefit over standard care alone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
35 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jun 2022
- Finished
-
Dec 2023
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * hospitalised due to an AECOPD according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria * included within 48h of hospital admission * able to provide informed consent * dutch speaker Exclusion Criteria: * need for mechanical ventilation or admission in the intensive care unit * unstable cardiovascular disease * hospitalization in the previous month * significant musculoskeletal or neuromuscular impairment that precludes the performance of the tests or participation in the study * signs of cognitive impairment * current neoplastic or immunological disease * implantable electronic devices (e.g., pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator \[ICD\], cardiac resynchronization therapy \[CRT\] device) * sensitivity alterations
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg
Genk, Belgium
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Could the air in your living room worsen COPD? a trial puts home sensors to the test
- Could a simple ultrasound predict ventilator success in elderly COPD patients?
- Can a blood filter ease breathing in severe COPD without a tube?
- Can remote care tame COPD Flare-Ups?
- Can a simple blood test predict COPD Flare-Up severity?
- Could a Once-Daily inhaler replace four daily doses for COPD attacks?