Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effect of Liuzijue exercise combined with elastic band resistance exercise on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to provide a convenient, safe, and cost-effective exercise. Methods Subjects were randomly divided into the control group (CG), the Liuzijue exercise group (LG), and the Liuzijue exercise combined with elastic band resistance exercise group (LEG), with 20 patients in each group. The LG performed Liuzijue exercise six times a week (two exercise sessions in the hospital and four exercise sessions at home). The LEG includes Liuzijue exercise similar to the LG and elastic band resistance exercise three times a week, with elastic band exercise implemented after Liuzijue exercise. Spirometry, 6-minute walking test (6MWT), 30-second sit-to-stand test (30 s SST), handgrip strength test, and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were performed at baseline and at the end of intervention. Results After six-month intervention, the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (% predicted), 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), 6MWD%pred, 30 s SST, and SGRQ were significantly improved in the intervention groups (p < 0.01) and handgrip strength was increased significantly in the LG and LEG (p = 0.03 and p = 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, improvements in 6MWD and SGRQ were distinguished in the intervention groups compared with the CG (p < 0.01). No difference was significant in all of the outcomes between the LG and the LEG. Conclusions The intervention program of Liuzijue exercise combined with elastic band resistance exercise and Liuzijue exercise only has beneficial effects on COPD patients especially in the aspect of exercise capacity and quality of life.
Highlights
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent and progressive airflow limitation, which impairs the exercise capacity and the quality of life in COPD patients [1]
The patients were randomly allocated into three groups (the control group (CG), the Liuzijue exercise group (LG), and the Liuzijue exercise combined with elastic band resistance exercise group (LEG)) using computer-generated random numbers table at 1:1:1 ratio
Sixty patients with COPD were included in the study and randomized to CG, LG, and LEG
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent and progressive airflow limitation, which impairs the exercise capacity and the quality of life in COPD patients [1]. In addition to respiratory symptom, skeletal muscle dysfunction as a prominent extra-pulmonary manifestation can appear in the early stage of COPD [2] and it is an independent risk factor for predicting the mortality of COPD patients [2, 3]. Skeletal muscle dysfunction can impair the exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with COPD [4] leading to a vicious cycle. Aerobic training (AT) has better effects on improving peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) and peak working capacity (Wpeak) and inducing skeletal muscle oxidation phenotype in COPD patients compared with RT [7, 8]. Conventional exercise training usually conducted by various facilities, including treadmill, cycle ergometer, weight
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
