Efficacy of Mawangdui exercise combined withneuromuscular electrical stimulation on pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective To investigate the effects of Mawangdui exercise combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on pulmonary function, exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A total of 96 COPD patients were selected as the study subjects, and divided into control group (n=48) and intervention group (n=48). The control group received conventional pharmacological treatment, while the intervention group received Mawangdui exercise combined with NMES in addition to conventional pharmacological treatment. The ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV₁) to forced vital capacity (FVC) (FEV₁/FVC), the percentage of predicted FEV₁(FEV₁%), respiratory rate, results of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), scores of COPD Assessment Test (CAT), St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire-I (SGRQ-I), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Borg CR-10 Scale were analyzed in both groups before and after treatment. Results After 1 and 3 months of treatment, significant differences were observed in respiratory rate and 6MWT results between the two groups (P < 0.05). After 1 and 3 months of treatment, the FEV₁% and FEV₁/FVC in the intervention group were significantly higher than those at admission, and the FEV₁% and FEV₁/FVC after 3 months of treatment were significantly higher than those after 1 month of treatment (P < 0.05). After 3 months oftreatment, a significant difference in FEV₁/FVC was observed between the two groups (P < 0.05). After 3 months of treatment, the CAT and SGRQ-I scores in the intervention group were significantly lower than those at admission (P < 0.05). After 3 months of treatment, the Borg CR-10 Scale score in the intervention group was significantly lowerthan that at admission and after 1 month of treatment (P < 0.05). After 3 months of treatment, a significant difference in SGRQ-I scores was observed between the two groups (P < 0.05). After 1 and 3 months of treatment, the HADS scores in the intervention group were significantly lower than those at admission, and the HADS score after 3 months of treatment was significantly lower than that after 1 month of treatment (P < 0.05). After 1 and 3 months of treatment, significant differences in HADS scores were observed between the two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion Mawangdui exercise combined with NMES can improve exercise tolerance and pulmonary function, alleviate anxiety and depression, and thereby enhance the quality of life in COPD patients.