title: Lack of relationship between functional and perceived quality of life outcomes following pulmonary rehabilitation.
abstract: Individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been shown to benefit from participation in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs that include exercise training and education.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the relationship between improvements in 6 minute walk distance and perceived quality of life in individuals with COPD following completion of a PR program.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of 139 individuals completing a PR program (3 times a week for 8 weeks) were retrospectively examined. Prior to entry and upon completion of the program each individual completed a 6 minute walk test (6MWT), the SF-36 Health survey, and the UCSD Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (SOB). SF-36 results were analyzed according to 8 subscales [Physical Functioning (PF), Role Physical (RF), Bodily Pain (BP), General Health (GH), Vitality (V), Social Functioning (SF), Role Emotional (RE), and Mental Health (MH)].
  
  
  RESULTS
  PR resulted in significant improvements in 6MWTdistance (Pre = 845 +/- 37 ft, Post = 1127 +/- 32 ft, p < 0.001), PF (p < 0.001), RF (p = 0.001), Vitality (p = 0.002), SF (p < 0.001), RE (p = 0.037), MH (p < 0.001) and SOB (Pre = 53 +/- 2, Post = 47 +/- 2, p < 0.001). The change in 6MWT distance was not related to changes in PF (r = 0.17), RF (r = 0.03), GH (r = 0.03), Vitality (r = -0.001), SF (r = 0.01), RE (r = 0.06), MH (r = -0.04) or SOB (r = 0.12). The magnitude of improvement in 6MWT distance (68%) was much greater than that observed in PF (15%), RF (16%), GH (6%), VT (18%), SF (20%), RE (14%), MH (14%), or SOB (8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PR has a positive impact on 6 minute walk distance and perceived quality of life in individuals with COPD; however, changes in 6 minute walk distance appear to have no relationship to changes in perceived quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy Education, Elon University, Elon, NC.
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Laureen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Elizabeth K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Bailey
references.citation: Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1997 Apr;155(4):1283-9
references.pmid: 9105068
references.citation: Respirology. 2005 Sep;10(4):485-90
references.pmid: 16135172
references.citation: J Cardiopulm Rehabil. 2004 Jan-Feb;24(1):52-62
references.pmid: 14758104
references.citation: Chest. 1999 Nov;116(5):1175-82
references.pmid: 10559073
references.citation: Chest. 2002 Apr;121(4):1092-8
references.pmid: 11948037
references.citation: Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2004 May;83(5):337-43
references.pmid: 15100621
references.citation: J Cardiopulm Rehabil. 2003 Jan-Feb;23(1):60-8
references.pmid: 12576914
references.citation: Chest. 2004 Jun;125(6):2036-45
references.pmid: 15189919
references.citation: Cardiopulm Phys Ther J. 2009 Jun;20(2):32-5
references.pmid: 20467536
references.citation: Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1999 Jan;159(1):321-40
references.pmid: 9872857
references.citation: Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2006 Jun 15;173(12):1390-413
references.pmid: 16760357
references.citation: Ann Intern Med. 1997 Dec 15;127(12):1072-9
references.pmid: 9412309
references.citation: J Pain Symptom Manage. 2003 Feb;25(2):118-27
references.pmid: 12590027
references.citation: Eur Respir J. 1999 Apr;13(4):855-9
references.pmid: 10362053
references.citation: Chest. 1998 Mar;113(3):619-24
references.pmid: 9515834
references.citation: Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1999 Oct;160(4):1248-53
references.pmid: 10508815
references.citation: Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2003 Jun 1;167(11):1522-7
references.pmid: 12615634
references.citation: Eur Respir J. 2006 Jun;27(6):1119-28
references.pmid: 16772388
references.citation: Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2002 Jul 1;166(1):111-7
references.pmid: 12091180
references.citation: Respir Med. 2007 Sep;101(9):1942-6
references.pmid: 17540553
references.citation: Chest. 2007 May;131(5 Suppl):4S-42S
references.pmid: 17494825
references.citation: Br Med J. 1959 Aug 29;2(5147):257-66
references.pmid: 13823475
references.citation: Vascul Pharmacol. 2005 Jun;43(1):36-9
references.pmid: 15890561
references.citation: Chest. 2001 Jan;119(1):77-84
references.pmid: 11157587
references.citation: J Gen Intern Med. 2007 Feb;22(2):161-70
references.pmid: 17356981
references.citation: COPD. 2005 Mar;2(1):125-9
references.pmid: 17136972
references.citation: J Exp Biol. 2002 Dec;205(Pt 23):3717-27
references.pmid: 12409498