[Results of an ambulatory respiratory rehabilitation program: observations in 100 COPD patients].
BACKGROUND
Respiratory rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary approach enabling personalized management adapted for each patient's handicap.


METHODS
Our ambulatory program includes twenty sessions per week (four half-days/week) for respiratory training at the ventilatory threshold, respiratory physical therapy, and health education. One hundred COPD patients participated in this retrospective study: mean age 62.1 +/- 9.6 years; FEV1: 1.51 +/- 0.66 (53 +/- 22% of theoretical).


RESULTS
At the ventilatory threshold, there was a significant 9% gain in oxygen uptake and a 31% gain in power. At maximal exercise, there was a 6% improvement in oxygen uptake, 21% gain in power, and 7% gain in tidal volume (p<0.05). Walking distance improved 15% (+ 61 m). Quality of life was also improved significantly, with loss of 8 points on the Saint-George's Hospital respiratory questionnaire.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates the beneficial effect of respiratory rehabilitation in terms of improved tolerance to exercise and improved quality of life for COPD patients.
Leleu
O
O
Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier, 43, rue de l'Isle, 80100 Abbeville. leleu.olivier@ch-abbeville.fr
Aron
C
C
Glerant
J-C
JC
Honvoh
F
F
D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking