title: Effects of Arm Bracing on Expiratory Flow Limitation and Lung Volume in Elderly COPD Subjects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although it is useful for COPD patients to relieve their dyspnea by bracing their arms, the relationships between the arm bracing posture and expiratory flow limitation (EFL) and lung volume are unknown. Whether arm bracing affects dyspnea, EFL, and lung volume in elderly COPD patients was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen elderly subjects (median [interquartile range] age 81 [77-85] y) with stable COPD (percent-of-predicted FEV1 50.9 [31.3-64.9] %) and 16 age-matched healthy subjects were studied. Breathing patterns, EFL, lung volume, SpO2 , and heart rate during quiet breathing were randomly evaluated in 3 standing postures: erect, leaning forward, and arm bracing. Dyspnea was also assessed for each posture with a Borg dyspnea score at the end of the test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lung volume was significantly higher with arm bracing than with the other postures in both groups (P < .05). Breathing patterns, SpO2 , and pulse rate were not significantly different among the 3 postures in both groups. However, EFL and Borg dyspnea scores were significantly lower with arm bracing than with the other postures in COPD subjects (P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The decreased EFL in the arm bracing position may be caused by breathing at a higher lung volume than in the erect position, which may be one of the factors relieving dyspnea in elderly COPD patients.
authors: Department of Rehabilitation, Hyogo College of Medicine Sasayama Medical Center, Kurooka 5, Sasayama, Hyogo, Japan. ogino0327@yahoo.co.jp.
authors: Tomoyuki
authors: T
authors: Ogino
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Konan Women's University, Kobe, Japan.
authors: Kyoshi
authors: K
authors: Mase
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Konan Women's University, Kobe, Japan.
authors: Masafumi
authors: M
authors: Nozoe
authors: Department of Rehabilitation, Hyogo College of Medicine Sasayama Medical Center, Kurooka 5, Sasayama, Hyogo, Japan.
authors: Tomohiro
authors: T
authors: Wada
authors: Department of General Medicine and Community Health Science.
authors: Yuki
authors: Y
authors: Uchiyama
authors: Department of General Medicine and Community Health Science.
authors: Yoshihiro
authors: Y
authors: Fukuda
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan.
authors: Kazuhisa
authors: K
authors: Domen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001132:Arm; D001915:Braces; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D012119:Respiration
keywords: COPD; arm bracing posture; elderly; expiratory flow limitation; flow-volume loop; lung volume