The Effect of Hydrotherapy and Low-Frequency Electrical Muscle Stimulation on Lower Limb Muscle Atrophy and Expiratory Force at the First Second in Patients with Respiratory Diseases

Abstract

The research aims to study the effect of hydrotherapy and low-frequency electrical muscle stimulation on lower limb muscle atrophy and peak expiratory flow during the first second in patients with respiratory diseases. An experimental design with two equivalent groups was adopted due to its suitability for the research procedures. The study sample consisted of 24 male patients aged between 35 and 40 years, suffering from various respiratory conditions such as chronic dyspnea, asthma, bronchitis, and bronchial inflammation. The patients were similar in the degree of dyspnea, ranging between 60-65%. The sample was selected from the population of Babil Governorate, who attended hospitals in the governorate, such as Marjan Hospital, the Turkish Hospital, and outpatient clinics. The research procedures included conducting various tests and measurements, including assessing muscle strength and endurance of the thigh and calf muscles, in addition to measuring peak expiratory flow during the first second. The duration of hydrotherapy treatment for both the experimental and control groups was 12 weeks, with three sessions per week, totaling 36 sessions. Each session lasted 73 minutes, with a total average duration of 2,628 minutes for all 36 sessions.