[Rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Are two exercise sessions per week sufficient?].
Several studies of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have shown that pulmonary rehabilitation three to seven times a week improves exercise performance and well being. This study investigates feasibility, effect and economic aspects of a programme consisting of two sessions a week. Twenty-four patients were randomized to rehabilitation and twenty-one to placebo. In an outpatient setting patients were assigned to an eight-week programme of exercise plus education twice a week (Exercise group) or conventional community cares (Placebo group). Seven patients did not complete the rehabilitation. The characteristics of the thirty-eight COPD patients at baseline (mean +/- SD): forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV-1) 1.1 +/- 0.4 L, six-minute walk distance (6MWD) 413 +/- 75 m. Rehabilitation resulted in an insignificant improvement in well being and the 6MWD (29 m ¿95% confidence interval: -8-66 m¿. Rehabilitation session twice a week for eight weeks had no effect in patients with moderate COPD.
Ringbaek
T J
TJ
Medicinsk klinik I, H:S Bispebjerg Hospital. Ringbaek@dadlnet.dk
Brøndum
E
E
Hemmingsen
L
L
Lybeck
K
K
Nielsen
D
D
Andersen
C
C
Lange
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires