The effect of exercise combined with bailing capsules on chronic stationary obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Objective To observe and compare the effect of Cordyceps sinensis (bailing) capsules combined with weight-bearing breathing exercises, and weight-bearing breathing exercises combined with tiotropium bromide and seretide, on patients with stable but moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Sixty-three patients with moderate-to-severe COPD were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group. Both groups performed weight-bearing breathing exercises, supplemented in the observation group with the oral administration of bailing capsules. The control group instead inhaled tiotropium bromide and seretide. Six-minute walking distance, the COPD assessment test (CAT scores) and concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were observed after 1 (T1), 30 (T2) and 58 (T3) days of the treatments. Results At T1 there were no significant differences between the two groups in any of the measurements (P≤0.05). At T2, there were still no significant differences except that a significant decrease in IL-8 and TNF-α levels was observed in the control group. At T3 the average CAT scores had decreased significantly in both groups compared to before the treatment but there was no significant difference between the two groups. In the observation group, the average 6MWT distance had increased significantly compared to before the treatment and compared to the control group, where there was no significant improvement. The average IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α readings of the control group were significantly lower than those of the observation group at T3 and compared to before the treatment. No significant changes in those indicators were observed in the observation group at T3. Conclusions Bailing capsules combined with weight-breathing exercises are more effective for relieving dyspnea symptoms and improving exercise capacity than weight-breathing exercises combined with tiotropium bromide and seretide. However, in controlling airway inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness, the triple inhalation combined with weight-bearing breathing exercises is more effective. Key words: Bailing capsules; Tiotropium bromide; Seretide; Pulmonary rehabilitation training; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease