To determine the structural and functional consequences of high-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation (hf-NMES) in a group of moderately impaired outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

A prospective, cross-over randomized trial.

An university-based, tertiary center.

Seventeen patients (FEV₁=49.6±13.4% predicted, Medical Research Council dyspnoea grades II–III) underwent 6-weeks hf-NMES (50Hz) and sham stimulation of the quadriceps femoris in a randomized, cross-over design. Knee strength was measured by isokinetic dynamometry (peak torque) and leg muscle mass (LMM) by DEXA; in addition, median cross-sectional area (CSA) of type I and II fibres and capillary–fibre ratio were evaluated in the vastus lateralis. The 6-min walking distance (6MWD) was also determined.

At baseline, patients presented with well-preserved functional capacity, muscle strength and mass: there was a significant relationship between strength and type II CSA (P<0.05). NMES was not associated with significant changes in peak torque, LMM or 6MWD as compared to sham (P>0.05). At micro-structural level, however, electrical stimulation increased type II, but decreased type I, CSA; no change, however, was found in the relative fibre distribution or capillary:fibre ratio (P<0.05). There was no significant association between individual changes in structure and function with training (P>0.05). Post-NMES increase in type II CSA was inversely related to baseline mass and strength (P<0.05).

NMES may promote a modest degree of type II muscle fibre hypertrophy in COPD patients with well-preserved functional status. These micro-strutural changes, however, were not translated into increased volitional strength in this sub-population.