Effect of short-term rehabilitation and long-term rehabilitation on the quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect of short-term rehabilitation and long-term rehabilitation on the quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods The patients with stable COPD were divided into two groups.In control group, the patients only received short-tern pulmonary rehabilitation training (for about 8-12 weeks). While the patients in observation group, after having received training, they were assessed again.They were asked to receive long-term pulmonary rehabilitation train according to long-term pulmonary rehabilitation plan.The indexes of the patients in observation group were significantly better than those in control group, such an the percentage of FEV1 before training, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months, 6MWT, Borg index, SGRQ score, the yearly changes in acute exacerbation. Results After short-term pulmonary rehabilitation, the percentage of the FEV1 rose; 6MWT rose; the index of SGRQ score and Borg both decreased.The 6MWT, SGRQ score, Borg index and the yearly times in acute exacerbation of the patients in observation group were better than those in control group. Conclusions The pulmonary rehabilitation therapy can improve the exercise capacity, breathing difficulty and quality of life of the COPD patients.The effect of long-term rehabilitation is better than that of short-term rehabilitation therapy. Key words: Pulmonary disease; Chronic obstructive; Quality of life; Short-term rehabilitation therapy; Long-term rehabilitation therapy