Functional electrical stimulation training on functional capacity and blood pressure variability in a centenarian woman: case study

Abstract

BACKGROUND Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a rehabilitation method that can revert alterations provoked by aging, such as reductions in functional capacity and modifications on blood pressure variability (BPV). OBJECTIVES To evaluate the training effects of FES on functional capacity and BPV in a centenarian woman. METHODS A 101-year-old woman without previous disease underwent FES training for 12 weeks, with three 40 min sessions/week. FES was applied at a frequency of 20 Hz with a 0.5 ms pulse, 5 s contraction time, 10 s relaxation time, the maximum tolerable intensity and with progressive overload. Functional capacity was assessed with a six-minute walk test (6MWT) and proximal lower limb strength was assessed with a sit-and-stand test (STST). BPV was measured by continuous recording of pulse pressure and calculated by spectral analysis. All variables were measured before and after FES training. RESULTS After training there was a 70% increase in distance walked in the 6MWT, a 300% increase in the number of STST repetitions, an 8 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and a 4 mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean blood pressure (MBP). Reductions in SBP (11.8 mmHg²), DBP (2.3 mmHg²) and MBP (6.0 mmHg²) variability were also observed. CONCLUSIONS Three months of FES training improved functional capacity and BPV in a centenarian woman.