Effect evaluation of six-character exercise breathing assisted long-term home oxygen therapy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of six-character formula breathing exercises combined with long-term home oxygen therapy in the rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A total of 200 COPD patients in Shanghai First People′s Hospital were divided into control group and observation group by odd and even numbers with 100 cases each. The patients in control group received routine long-term home oxygen therapy and the patients in observation group received six-character formula breathing exercises as an adjunct to long-term home oxygen therapy. The patients completed the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) score at 1 month, 3 months and 9 months respectively. At 6 months and 12 months, the patients completed the mMRC score, the frequency of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), the number of re-admissions, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (PaCO2) and St. George′s Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores. At 12 months, the patients were evaluated for the six-minute walking test. Results The duration of oxygen in observation group was (6.3 ± 1.7) h/d, was shorter than control group (7.5 ± 2.1) h/d (t=2.040, P=0.043). The frequency of AECOPD in observation group at 12 months was (3.12 ± 0.49) times/case, was lower than control group (4.95±0.65) times/case (t= 22.482, P <0.01). The frequency of re-admission in observation group was (1.09 ± 0.41) times/case, was lower than control group (1.22 ± 0.39) times/case (t= 2.215, P=0.028). The mMRC scores in observation group at 3 months and 9 months was (2.733±0.750), (2.749 ± 0.938), was lower than control group (3.186 ± 0.734), (3.197 ± 0.848) (t=4.317, 3.543, P<0.01). The SGRQ scores in observation group at 6 months and 12 months was (54.678 ± 9.318), (56.656 ± 7.294), was lower than control group (61.603 ± 8.989), (63.006 ± 7.387) (t=5.349, 6.117, P<0.01). PaCO2 in observation group at 12 months was (6.422 ± 0.864) kPa, was better than control group (6.856 ± 0.904) kPa (t=3.471, P=0.01). The walking distance of 6 minutes in observation group was (265.483 ± 19.277) meters, was longer than control group (232.966 ± 18.883) meters (t= 12.050, P < 0.01). Conclusions Six-character formula breathing exercises assisted with long-term home oxygen therapy can reduce the use of oxygen, reduce the frequency of AECOPD and readmission, improve the symptoms of COPD patients, and delay the pathological process of COPD. Key words: Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Six-character breathing exercise; Long term home oxygen therapy; Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease