title: A randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of an exercise training program in patients recovering from severe acute respiratory syndrome.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an exercise training program on cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal performance and health-related quality of life of patients who were recovering from severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). A 6-week supervised exercise training program was carried out in the physiotherapy department of a university teaching hospital. One hundred and thirty-three patients referred from a SARS Review Clinic solely for physiotherapy were included. Cardiorespiratory fitness (6-minute walk test, Chester Step Test for predicting VO(2max)), musculoskeletal performance (isometric deltoid and gluteal muscles strength, handgrip strength, 1-minute curl-up and push-up tests) and health-related quality of life (SF-36) were measured and evaluated. Patients were assigned randomly to either a control group (standardised educational session about exercise rehabilitation) or an exercise group. After 6 weeks, significantly greater improvement was shown in the exercise group in the 6-minute walk test (77.4 m vs 20.7 m, p < 0.001), VO(2max) (3.6 ml/kg/min vs 1 ml/kg/min, p = 0.04), and musculoskeletal performance (handgrip strength, curl-up and push-up tests, p < 0.05). Effects on health-related quality of life were not statistically significant. It was concluded that the exercise training program was effective in improving both the cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal fitness in patients recovering from SARS. However, health-related quality of life was not affected by physical training.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China. laumc@ha.org.hk
authors.forename: Herman Mun-Cheung
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Gabriel Yin-Fat
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Alice Yee-Men
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Edwin Wai-Chee
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Eddy Hon-Kit
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Siu
authors.forename: David Shu-Cheong
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Hui
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone