title: Influence of inhaled procaterol on pulmonary rehabilitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive condition that classically causes dyspnea during physical activity. Destruction of alveoli and bronchostenosis are thought to lead to shortness of breath and result in decreased physical activity. In this study, we examined the influence of inhaled procaterol on exercise therapy for pulmonary rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with moderate to severe stable COPD were randomly divided into 2 groups those who inhaled procaterol before exercise (n=10) and those who did not (control group) (n=11). For 12 weeks, all patients performed their pulmonary rehabilitation exercises at home. We measured the 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) to assess exercise tolerance and used St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) before and after the 12-week exercise program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the control group, the group receiving inhaled procaterol showed significant improvement of 6MWD and SGRQ scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that a pulmonary rehabilitation program combined with inhaled procaterol can improve both HRQOL and exercise tolerance in COPD patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Gunma University Hospital, Japan. m.hasegawa@gunma-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.forename: Kunio
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dobashi
authors.forename: Takeo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Horie
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shirakura
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D017265:Procaterol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D017265:Procaterol