Randomised feasibility trial into the effects of low-frequency electrical muscle stimulation in advanced heart failure patients

OBJECTIVES:Low-frequency electrical muscle stimulation (LF-EMS) may have the potential to reduce breathlessness and increase exercise capacity in the chronic heart failure population who struggle to adhere to conventional exercise. The study's aim was to establish if a randomised controlled trial of LF-EMS was feasible. DESIGN AND SETTING:Double blind (participants, outcome assessors), randomised study in a secondary care outpatient cardiac rehabilitation programme. PARTICIPANTS:Patients with severe heart failure (New York Heart Association class III-IV) having left ventricular ejection fraction