Feasibility and efficacy of home exercise training before lung volume reduction.
BACKGROUND
Exercise training is recommended before lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) in patients with emphysema. Unfortunately, many of these patients are referred from remote areas where there is no available rehabilitation program. The authors evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of a minimally supervised home-based exercise training program.


METHODS
Twenty-three emphysematous patients (age 61 +/- 6, forced expiratory volume in 1 second = 29 +/- 7% predicted [mean +/- SD]) were recruited from our LVRS program. Measurements of pulmonary function, maximal and submaximal exercise capacity, 6-minute walking distance (6-MWD), muscle strength, and quality of life with the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire were obtained before and after training. Home-based exercise training program included muscle exercises and aerobic training, and started with detailed teaching while the follow-up was ensured through weekly phone calls and a diary filled by each patient.


RESULTS
Significant increases in 6-MWD (P < 0.001), quality of life (P < 0.005), peak work rate (P < 0.05), peak oxygen consumption (P < 0.05), endurance time (P < 0.005), and muscle strength were observed in the home-based exercise training program.


CONCLUSIONS
Home-based exercise training for patients in preparation for LVRS was feasible, and induced significant improvement in exercise tolerance and quality of life.
Debigaré
R
R
Unité de Recherche, Centre de Pneumologie Hôpital Laval, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
Maltais
F
F
Whittom
F
F
Deslauriers
J
J
LeBlanc
P
P
D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome