title: Effects of an Exercise Intervention in Frail Older Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Hospitalized due to an Exacerbation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine whether an exercise intervention using a pedal exerciser is able to reduce disability in frail older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during hospitalization due to an acute exacerbation. This study was a randomized, single-blind clinical trial. Fifty-eight frail older patients admitted to hospital due to an acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) were included in this study. All patients received standard medical and pharmacological care. Patients assigned to the intervention group also received an exercise intervention. The main outcome measures were balance, muscle strength, and exercise capacity. Significant between-group differences were found in muscle strength (p = 0.028) and balance (p = 0.013) after the intervention. All the variables improved significantly (p < 0.05) in the exercise intervention group. In the intervention group, the mean difference in muscle strength between baseline and discharge was 10.47 N. Balance also improved, showing a mean difference of 7.56 seconds on the right leg and 6.57 seconds on the left leg. Exercise capacity improved as well, with a difference of 4.97 stands between baseline and discharge. All the variables showed impairment in the control group. In conclusion, an exercise intervention using a pedal exerciser during the hospital stay of frail elderly patients with an AECOPD improves muscle strength, balance, and exercise capacity.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy , School of Health Sciences, University of Granada , Granada , Spain.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Torres-Sánchez
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy , School of Health Sciences, University of Granada , Granada , Spain.
authors.forename: Marie Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Valenza
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy , School of Health Sciences, University of Granada , Granada , Spain.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cabrera-Martos
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy , School of Health Sciences, University of Granada , Granada , Spain.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: López-Torres
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy , School of Health Sciences, University of Granada , Granada , Spain.
authors.forename: Ángela
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Benítez-Feliponi
authors.affiliation: b Pulmonary Medicine Service, San Cecilio University Hospital, Granada, Andalusian Health Service , Spain.
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Conde-Valero
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D004856:Postural Balance; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D000067251:Symptom Flare Up
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents
keywords: Disability; elderly; frailty; hospitalization