SS+PR

NM+PR

p-Value

Age, years

61.5 + 9.7

62.05 + 8.5

0.87

BMI, Kg/m2

24.7 + 2.5

24.5 + 3.1

0.29

Post BD FEV1, % predicted

59.6 + 8.2

60.1 + 6.4

0.89

6MWT, m

462.7+ 96.9

465.5 + 101.7

0.88

STST, repetitions

13.6 + 0.99

13.5 + 0.83

0.37

MMRC, score

2.6 + 0.2

2.4 + 0.4

0.42

SGRQ, total score

42.05 + 15.7

41.7 + 14.8

0.52

PaO2, mm Hg

74.2 + 11.6

75.7 + 9.3

0.73

PaCO2, mm Hg

42.4 + 3.2

43.5 + 2.9

0.59

Table 2: Baseline characteristics (mean value + SD) of the two groups of patients. SS+PR: sham stimulation + pulmonary rehabilitation - NM+PR: neuromuscular electrical stimulation + pulmonary rehabilitation. BD: Bronchodilator.