Changes in Balance after Rehabilitation Program in Patients with COPD and in Healthy Subjects

Wajdi Mkacher

doi:10.4172/2329-9096.1000219

Abstract

Background: Deficits in balance are increasingly recognized among the important secondary impairments in COPD. Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of rehabilitation program on balance in COPD patients compared to healthy subjects. Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted. The balance of COPD patients and healthy subjects was assessed by the Timed up and go test (TUG), the Tinetti test, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Unipodal stance test (UST) test with measurement of balance confidence using ABC scale. Exercise tolerance was determined from the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Results: We noted a significant difference between the two groups in all measures of balance at baseline. Following the period of PR, it was found no significant difference in the confidence of COPD patients and healthy subjects in their balance. However, for the TUG, BBS score and UST, a statistically significant improvement in the COPD group was found (p<0.001). There is also a modest increase score test TINETTI in this group (p<0.01) but not for the control group after the period of PR. Discussion: Physical activity increases muscle strength and compensate the loss of muscle mass associated with age and causing deficit in balance in COPD patients. Conclusion: PR improves scores of some balance tests, although the clinical effect of these changes remains debatable.

Highlights

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most important causes of death worldwide and is projected to rank third in 2020 in global burden of disease [1]
Information regarding postural control in persons with lung disease is limited, evidence suggests that balance deficits constitute an important secondary impairment in older adults with COPD [2,7,8,9]
There was no significant change in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) in the two groups after rehabilitation program

Summary

Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most important causes of death worldwide and is projected to rank third in 2020 in global burden of disease [1]. Emerging evidence suggests that older adults with COPD show important reductions in balance control that may be associated with an increased fall risk in this population [7]. Information regarding postural control in persons with lung disease is limited, evidence suggests that balance deficits constitute an important secondary impairment in older adults with COPD [2,7,8,9]. The American Geriatrics Society recommends exercise with balance training as an essential component of a multifactorial falls intervention strategy for community-dwelling older adults who are at risk for falling [12]. The exercise component of PR is considered the cornerstone of rehabilitation for patients with COPD, it is directed predominately to training peripheral muscles. Deficits in balance are increasingly recognized among the important secondary impairments in COPD

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion