Efficacy of a respiratory rehabilitation exercise training package in hospitalized elderly patients with acute exacerbation of COPD: a randomized control trial.
BACKGROUND
NCT02329873.


BACKGROUND
Acute exacerbation (AE) of COPD is characterized by a sudden worsening of COPD symptoms. Previous studies have explored the effectiveness of respiratory rehabilitation for patients with COPD; however, no training program specific to acute exacerbation in elderly patients or unstable periods during hospitalization has been developed.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of a respiratory rehabilitation exercise training package on dyspnea, cough, exercise tolerance, and sputum expectoration among hospitalized elderly patients with AECOPD.


METHODS
A randomized control trial was conducted. Pretest and posttest evaluations of 61 elderly inpatients with AECOPD (experimental group n=30; control group n=31) were performed. The experimental group received respiratory rehabilitation exercise training twice a day, 10-30 minutes per session for 4 days. The clinical parameters (dyspnea, cough, exercise tolerance, and sputum expectoration) were assessed at the baseline and at the end of the fourth day.


RESULTS
All participants (median age =70 years, male =60.70%, and peak expiratory flow 140 L) completed the study. In the patients of the experimental group, dyspnea and cough decreased and exercise tolerance and sputum expectoration increased significantly compared with those of the patients in the control group (all P<0.05). Within-group comparisons revealed that the dyspnea, cough, and exercise tolerance significantly improved in the experimental group by the end of the fourth day (all P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study suggest that the respiratory rehabilitation exercise training package reduced symptoms and enhanced the effectiveness of the care of elderly inpatients with AECOPD.
Department of Nursing, Chest Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Rende District, Tainan, Taiwan ; College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Lin-Yu
LY
Liao
College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Kuei-Min
KM
Chen
Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung, Taiwan.
Wei-Sheng
WS
Chung
Department of Medicine, Chest Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Rende District, Tainan, Taiwan.
Jung-Yien
JY
Chien
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D018450:Disease Progression; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013183:Sputum; D013624:Taiwan; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
COPD; exercise; older adults; respiratory diseases; severe early onset