HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:
Guest Access | Sign In via User Name/Password

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Personal Article Archive Download to citation manager Google Scholar Articles by Pitta, F. Articles by Gosselink, R. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Pitta, F. Articles by Gosselink, R.

ARE PATIENTS WITH COPD MORE ACTIVE AFTER PULMONARY REHABILITATION ?

¹ Respiratory Rehabilitation and Respiratory Division, University Hospitals; and Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium ² Laboratório de Pesquisa em Fisioterapia Pulmonar (LFIP), Department of Physiotherapy, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil

Rik.Gosselink{at}faber.kuleuven.be

Abstract

Background: Despite a variety of benefits brought by pulmonary rehabilitation to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, it is unclear whether these patients are more active during daily life after the program. Methods: Physical activities in daily life (activity monitoring), pulmonary function (spirometry), exercise capacity (incremental cycle-ergometer test and 6-minute walking distance [6MWD]), muscle force (quadriceps and handgrip force, inspiratory and expiratory maximal pressures), quality of life (Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire [CRDQ]) and functional status (Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire-modified version [PFSDQ-M]) were assessed at baseline, after 3 months and at the end of a 6-month multidisciplinary rehabilitation program in 29 patients (age 67±8 years; forced expiratory volume in the first second 46±16%predicted). Results: Exercise capacity, muscle force, quality of life, and functional status improved significantly after 3 months of pulmonary rehabilitation (all p<0.05), with further improvements in muscle force, functional status and quality of life at 6 months. Movement intensity during walking improved significantly after 3 months (p=0.046) with further improvements after 6 months (p=0.0002). Walking time in daily life did not improve significantly at 3 months (7±35% improvement; p=0.21) but only after 6 months (20±36% improvement; p=0.008). No significant changes occurred in other activities or in the pattern of time spent walking in daily life. Changes in dyspnea after the program were significantly related to changes in walking time in daily life (r=0.43; p=0.02). Conclusion: If one aims at changing physical activity habits in daily life of COPD patients, the contribution of long-lasting programs might be important.

Key Words: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease • exercise • physical activity • pulmonary rehabilitation