Evidence for single-limb exercises on exercise capacity, quality of life, and dyspnea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or chronic heart failure

Abstract

Background: Although single-limb exercise (SLE) has been used for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), the evidence for SLE has not been evaluated systematically and remains unclear.Objectives: Determine the evidence for the effect of SLE compared to any comparator on outcome measurements for exercise capacity, quality of life (QoL) or dyspnea in patients with COPD or CHF.Methods: PubMed, PEDro, and CENTRAL databases were searched from inception until 31 May 2011. Searches started 1 April 2011. English language randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Extraction of data was performed by two review authors. Data and evidence for SLE were summarized in accordance with grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) guidelines. Authors of included studies were contacted for missing data.Results: Six RCTs (two COPD and four CHF) were included. Low to very low-quality evidence indicates that SLE significantly improved exercise capacity, but not dyspnea, in patients with COPD, and significantly improved exercise capacity outcomes compared to a control in patients with CHF. However, when SLE was compared to non-SLE regimes in patients with CHF, positive effects were found irrespective of training regime regarding exercise capacity and QoL.Conclusions: SLE appears to be effective in both conditions especially regarding exercise capacity, and might be included in exercise programs in patients with COPD or CHF. However, the evidence is low to very low according to GRADE and more clinical studies of high quality are required.