(In)Voluntary Assessed Quadriceps Muscle Endurance in COPD
Condition: Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
MeSH terms: Lung Diseases; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      The primary objective is to assess the relation between involuntary and voluntary assessed
      quadriceps muscle endurance in patients with COPD. We hypothesized a good correlation (>0.8)
      between the measurements.
    

Detailed description: 
      Rationale: Quadriceps muscle endurance is reduced in patients with COPD. However, no
      consensus has been reached yet on the best method to evaluate quadriceps muscle endurance.
      One important aspect is the large variety in protocols and devices used around the world.
      Commonly used and reliable measures are voluntary protocols performed on a computerized
      dynamometer. However, these voluntary measurements might also be influenced by external
      factors as patients effort or motivation. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the relation
      between voluntary and involuntary (i.e. electrical stimulated) assessed quadriceps muscle
      endurance.

      Objective(s): The primary objective is to assess the relation between involuntary and
      voluntary assessed quadriceps muscle endurance in patients with COPD.

      Study design: Cross-sectional observation study.

      Study population: 20 COPD patients who perform baseline assessment at the pulmonary
      rehabilitation centre at Radboudumc (Nijmegen, the Netherlands).

      Intervention: not applicable

      Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary outcome will be the electrically evoked
      isometric quadriceps muscle endurance (fatigue resistance) and voluntary isokinetic (work
      fatigue index5) and isometric quadriceps endurance (time).

      Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group
      relatedness: BURDEN: All measurements are part of standard care, except for one questionnaire
      and (involuntary) electrical assessed quadriceps function. Thus, the additional burden for
      the patient is one additional measurement of approximately 70 minutes. RISKS: Performance of
      electrically evoked assessment of muscle function is not associated with a health risk. This
      procedure is non-invasive and not painful and performed routinely at the department of
      Physiology (Radboudumc, Nijmegen). Therefore, no safety risk is involved.

      BENEFIT: The benefits will be high as it will provide more insight in the relation between
      voluntary and involuntary assessed quadriceps muscle endurance. This insight is necessary to
      optimize the clinical assessment of muscle endurance in patients with COPD.

      GROUP RELATEDNESS: This will be the first study in which the relation between voluntary and
      involuntary assessed quadriceps muscle endurance in COPD will be investigated. These results
      will also be valuable for other diseases/conditions in which isolated muscle endurance should
      be assessed like asthma, pulmonary hypertension, etc.
    

Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Cross-Sectional
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Patients with COPD that start with the pulmonary rehabilitation program at the Radboudumc
        in Nijmegen.
      
Keywords: Peripheral muscle endurance; Electrical stimulation