title: Arm strength training improves activities of daily living and occupational performance in patients with COPD.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Arm strength training may improve functional performance for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This trial investigated the effects of arm strength training on arm exercise capacity, activities of daily living (ADL) and occupational performance in patients with COPD.
  
  
  METHODS
  These was a randomized controlled trial in an outpatient clinic. Forty-two stable patients with COPD were randomly assigned into treatment and control groups. The treatment group underwent an 8-week (23 sessions) arm strength training programme. Both groups completed daily breathing exercises at home. Tests included hand grip strength, arm ergometer test, the Glittre-ADL and ADL Simulation tests and measures included the Milliken ADL Scale (MAS) and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant increases were detected in hand grip strength and %hand grip strength values, peak arm ergometer workload and the number of ADL simulation test cycles for the treatment group (P < 0.05). Significant decreases were also found in dyspnea and arm fatigue perception during arm ergometer test, and heart rate and dyspnea perception during Glittre-ADL test in the treatment group (P < 0.05). The treatment group also showed significant increases in MAS-house cleaning and laundry and MAS-other activities integrated scores and COPM-performance and satisfaction scores (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arm strength training increases peripheral muscle strength, arm exercise capacity, ADL performance and patients' ADL performance satisfaction. Training decreases dyspnea and arm fatigue perception during supported arm exercises, and dyspnea perception during ADL. Arm strength training is a reliable and feasible treatment for COPD patients.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Samanpazari, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ebru
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Calik-Kutukcu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Samanpazari, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hulya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arikan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Samanpazari, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Melda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saglam
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Samanpazari, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Naciye
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vardar-Yagli
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Ergotherapy, Hacettepe University, Samanpazari, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cigdem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Oksuz
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Samanpazari, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Inal-Ince
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Dokuz Eylül University, Inciralti, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Savci
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Samanpazari, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tulin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Duger
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chest Diseases, Hacettepe University, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Lutfi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Coplu
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000503:physiopathology; D004651:Employment; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005221:Fatigue / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods
keywords: COPD - daily living activities - strength training - upper extremities