The effect of postrehabilitation programmes among individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two post-rehabilitation programmes on functional exercise tolerance and health-related quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Subjects with COPD (n=109) were randomised to receive either enhanced follow-up (EF) or conventional follow-up (CF). Subjects in the EF group attended a monthly support group and received a telephone call from a staff member at the midpoint (2 weeks) between their visits. Both groups had scheduled appointments with a physical therapist and physician at 3-monthly intervals after discharge. Longitudinal data were recorded in 85 subjects (37 EF and 48 CF). Over the course of the study, there was no difference in distance walked in 6 min between the two groups but a significant difference for time and a group-time interaction. There was no difference in total chronic respiratory disease questionnaire score between groups at baseline or at any time interval despite a significant difference with time. There was a clear deterioration in functional exercise capacity and health-related quality of life after completion of respiratory rehabilitation but no difference between the groups.
Brooks
D
D
Dept of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, and West Park Healthcare Centre, Ontario, Canada. dina.brooks@utoronto.ca
Krip
B
B
Mangovski-Alzamora
S
S
Goldstein
R S
RS
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D013997:Time Factors