Comprehensive Pulmonary Rehabilitation Research Articles

Effect of early pulmonary rehabilitation therapy on the pulmonary function of patients with stroke-associated pneumonia and analysis of its effectiveness.

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of early pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) treatment methods for stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP). This is a prospective, randomized controlled intervention study. Eighty SAP patients admitted to the rehabilitation department of Liuzhou People's Hospital from June 2020 to December 2021 were selected and divided into an intervention group (40 cases) and a control group (40 cases) using the random number table approach. Patients in both groups received conventional treatments. Patients in the intervention group received early PR interventions, while patients in the control group received conventional rehabilitation treatment. The clinical effectiveness and pulmonary function indexes were compared. The intervention group showed shorter durations of stay in the intensive care unit, relief from symptoms, and mechanical ventilation compared to the control group following treatment (P < 0.05). The total clinical efficacy after intervention in the treatment group was 82.50%, significantly higher than the control group's rate of 47.50% (P < 0.05). After 21 days of treatment, the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/predicted value in the intervention group was 64.92 ± 8.53, while it was 52.69 ± 7.08 in the other group. The FEV1/forced vital capacity in the intervention group was 59.73 ± 7.18, compared to 50.36 ± 6.54 in the control group. The intervention group had a clinical pulmonary infection score of 2.62 ± 1.13, while the control group had a score of 4.17 ± 2.08. The intervention group showed a significant improvement in lung function, with statistically significant differences compared to the other group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the intervention group had significantly lower levels of interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 compared to the control group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). The average National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score of the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the control group in the second and third weeks after treatment (P < 0.05). Early comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation can significantly enhance the pulmonary function and respiratory status of SAP patients and facilitate the early recovery of brain function. This approach archives significantly better outcomes compared to conventional PR; therefore, it is worth clinical implementation.

Comprehensive Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A Feasibility Pilot Study.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) represents a significant health burden, with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Despite advances in pharmacological and surgical interventions, the role of rehabilitation in MPM management remains underexplored. This study aims to assess the feasibility of a tailored pulmonary rehabilitation intervention addressing physical and respiratory function in MPM patients. A prospective pilot study was conducted on surgically treated MPM patients referred to a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation service. The intervention comprised multidisciplinary educational sessions, physical rehabilitation, and respiratory physiotherapy. Feasibility was evaluated based on dropout rates, adherence to the rehabilitation program, safety, and patient-reported outcomes. Twelve patients were initially enrolled, with seven completing the study. High adherence to physical (T1: 93.43%, T2: 82.56%) and respiratory (T1: 96.2%, T2: 92.5%) rehabilitation was observed, with minimal adverse events reported. Patient satisfaction remained high throughout the study (GPE scores at T1: 1.83 ± 1.17; T2: 2.0 ± 1.15), with improvements noted in physical function, pain management, and health-related quality of life. However, some issues, such as time constraints and lack of continuous supervision, were reported by participants. This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility and potential benefits of a tailored pulmonary rehabilitation intervention in MPM patients. Despite its promising outcomes, further research with larger samples is warranted to validate its efficacy and integrate rehabilitation as a component into the multidisciplinary management of MPM.

The Impact of Early Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Dyspnea, Quality of Life, and Symptoms in Moderate to Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia Patients

Introduction: COVID-19 pneumonia leads to dyspnea, persistent symptoms and poor quality of life. Inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has limited evidence of effectiveness. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effect of a comprehensive inpatient PR program on dyspnea symptoms and quality of life in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: A group pretest-posttest design was conducted in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Comprehensive PR was administered during hospitalization. Baseline dyspnea index (BDI), Transitional dyspnea score (TDI), Modified Medical Research Council score (mMRC), and St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were assessed at baseline, 4th week and 12th week after discharge. Results: In total, 28 patients were included (9 with oxygen supplementation, 19 without oxygen supplementation). The mean BDI at baseline was 7.82 ± 2.13. TDI scores at the 4th and 12th weeks were 5.14 ± 1.90 and 6.61 ± 1.59, respectively, with a significant difference observed between the 4th and 12th weeks (p &lt; 0.001). Median mMRC scores at baseline, 4th week, and 12th week were 2(1.25 - 3), 1 (1 - 2) and 1 (0 - 1), respectively, showing a significant improvement between baseline vs 4th week, baseline vs 12th week, and 4th week vs 12th week (p &lt; 0.001). The total SGRQ score exhibited a median (IQR) of 11.34 (7.88 - 8.58) at the 4th week and 6.93 (4.43 - 13.03) at the 12th week, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement (p &lt; 0.001). No adverse events were reported during inpatient PR. Conclusion: Inpatient PR provides a safe and feasible profile, reduces dyspnea symptoms, and improves the quality of life in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 pneumonia. HIGHLIGHTS COVID-19 pneumonia results in dyspnea and persistent symptoms, impacting quality of life. Early pulmonary rehabilitation, from inpatient to a 12-week outpatient program for moderate and severe cases, is safe and improves dyspnea, quality of life, and patient reported symptoms. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Impact of pulmonary rehabilitation on patients with different chronic respiratory diseases during hospitalization.

The impact of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on patients with different chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) during hospitalization has not been thoroughly evaluated before. The objectives of the current research were to assess the effect of comprehensive PR management on inpatients' self-management skills, exercise capacity, nutrition assessment and mental health issues and explore whether impacts of PR vary in different CRDs. This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data from 272 inpatients with CRDs receiving PR management during hospitalization between October 2020 and March 2022 in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital. Significant improvements were found in the patients' ability of daily living (ADL), dyspnea (assessed by modified medical research council dyspnea scale (MMRC)), handgrip strength, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure, anxiety (using the 7-item generalized anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7)) and depression (the 9-item patient health questionnaire score (PHQ-9)). There was no significant change in nutrition assessment pre-post PR management during hospitalization. The subgroup analyses were conducted on hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, asthma, interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) and other CRDs (e.g., lung cancer, diaphragm hemiparesis, obesity, etc.). The results showed that ADL, MMRC score, MIP, MEP, PHQ-9 score improved in all subgroups with CRDs. Handgrip strength of left hand was increased in COPD inpatients and anxiety was improved in all subgroups except for ILDs. Comprehensive PR management was necessary and beneficial for patients with different CRDs during hospitalization.

The role of physical activity in improving the condition of patients with COPD (review article)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death, accounting for approximately 6% of all deaths, confirming its relevance and making it a subject of close attention of the global medical community. The integration of physical activity (PA) into the regimen of patients with COPD plays a key role in maintaining their health and improving quality of life. However, despite the inclusion of PA in pulmonary rehabilitation programs having become a routine method, questions remain today about establishing several universal formats of rehabilitation measures on the one hand and personalization on the other. This review is based on the analysis of relevant publications obtained as a result of selective literature search using the following keywords: COPD, quality of life, physical activity, pulmonary rehabilitation. Articles indicating the effects of PA as one of the main components of comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD are considered. Tools for assessing PA, its impact on the frequency of disease exacerbations, and mortality are discussed. Results confirming the importance and necessity of physical exercises as part of pulmonary rehabilitation are presented, as well as modern problems faced by specialists conducting pulmonary rehabilitation and their potential solutions.

Effectiveness of adequate chicken egg white consumption on dyspnea degree and exacerbation incidence in stable COPD patients practicing strength and endurance exercises.

Lack of physical exercise and inadequate nutritional intake in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients could lead to low muscle mass and function, which causes reduced respiratory function, increased incidence of exacerbations, exercise intolerance, increased visits to health facilities, and low health status. Therefore, physical exercise and good nutritional intake are the main foundations of a comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program for COPD patients. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of chicken egg white supplementation on dyspnea degree and the incidence of exacerbations in stable COPD patients who perform physical exercise independently at home. A quasi-experimental study was conducted in 38 stable COPD patients based on the Global Initiative for Chronic Lung Disease (GOLD) 2021 classification criteria. The patients were divided into two groups: the control group who did smartphone application-assisted physical exercises and the intervention group who did the same physical exercises plus chicken egg white supplementation for 12 weeks. Performed physical exercises included both strength and endurance training. The degree of dyspnea was assessed with modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale and the incidence of exacerbations was assessed by direct interviews at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. A Fisher's exact test was used to assess the association between the intervention with dyspnea degree and exacerbation incidence. In the intervention group, chicken egg white supplementation for 12 weeks lowered the dyspnea degree by 3.16 times than the control (relative risk 3.16 with p=0.001). Furthermore, the incidence of exacerbations was also reduced by 1.8 times compared to the control group (relative risk 1.8, p=0.001). This study highlights a significant improvement in dyspnea degree and exacerbation incidence in COPD patients with the combination of protein supplementation and physical exercise. Therefore, adding chicken egg white intake could be beneficial for stable COPD patients practicing physical exercises.

Functional capacity and quality of life improvement in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients following physical exercise and chicken egg white supplementation.

The pillars of comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients include physical exercise and good nutrition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of pulmonary rehabilitation, which included physical exercise and chicken egg white supplementation, on the quality of life (QoL) and functional capacity among patients with stable COPD. The COPD patients were enrolled prospectively in this quasi-experimental study and completed a 12-week smartphone-guided home-based physical exercise program that comprised strength and resistance training three times per week for 30 minutes each session. Participants were divided into two groups: the control group who underwent physical exercise only, and the intervention group who had physical exercise and chicken egg white supplementation as a protein source. Patient characteristics including sex, age, nutritional status, comorbidities, smoking status, and obstruction severity, were evaluated. The COPD assessment test (CAT) score and six-minute walk test (6MWT) were used as the parameters to evaluate QoL and functional capacity, respectively. Of the total 50 patients included in the study, 12 were excluded due to follow-up and adherence problems. Our data indicated there were significant CAT score reduction and 6MWT improvement in both control and intervention groups after 12 weeks compared to baseline data. However, reduction of mean CAT score was higher in intervention compared to control group (-13.47±6.49 vs -5.42±5.07, p<0.001). In addition, the improvement of 6MWT was also higher in intervention group compared to control group (145.47±69.2 vs 32.42±17.3 meters, p<0.001). In conclusion, chicken egg white supplement to male patients with stable COPD who exercise with resistance and strength training could improve the QoL and functional capacity.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation with and without a Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Breathlessness in People Living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Randomized Controlled Trial

(1) Background: Most controlled trials of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have targeted anxiety and depression. (2) Methods: This pragmatic randomized controlled trial explored whether a comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program (CPRP) with CBT for breathlessness or social group control (CPRP + SC) significantly improved health outcomes. (3) Results: People with moderate-to-severe COPD were block randomized (CPRP + CBT n = 52 or CPRP + SC n = 49). Primary outcomes (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADs), six-minute walk distance (6MWD)) and secondary outcomes (breathlessness, quality of life and habitual physical activity) were assessed before and 1, 6 and 12 months post intervention. Between-group differences were calculated with mixed models for each time point to baseline (intention to treat (ITT)). Participants (n = 101, mean ± SD age 70 ± 8.5 years, 54 (53%) males, FEV1% pred 47.7 ± 16.3) were similar between groups. Post intervention, primary outcomes did not differ significantly between groups at 1 (6MWD mean difference −7.5 [95% CI −34.3 to 19.4], HADs-A −0.3 [−1.4 to 0.9], HADs-D 0.2 [−0.8 to 1.3]), 6 (6MWD −11.5 [−38.1 to 15.1], HADs-A 1.1 [0.0 to 2.2], HADs-D 0.2 [−0.9 to 1.3]), or 12 months (6MWD −3.8 [−27.2 to 19.6], HADS-A −0.4 [−1.5 to 0.6], HADs-D −0.7 [−1.7 to 0.4]). (4) Conclusions: In this cohort, combining CBT with a CPRP did not provide additional health benefits beyond those achieved by a standard CPRP.

Breathing and Light- to Vigorous-Intensity Aerobic Exercises Improved Respiratory Functions and Functional Capacity of COVID-19 Survivor with Morbid Obesity

Introduction: A decrease in respiratory functions (RF) and functional capacity (FC) may present as complications of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Morbid obesity worsens these complications. Case: A 31-year-old male patient with morbid obesity came for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) one week after hospitalization. He suffered from COVID-19 and received 15 days of mechanical ventilation. The goal of PR was to improve RF and FC. A comprehensive PR, including hospital- and home-based programs, consisting of breathing, aerobic, resistance, and flexibility exercises, diet and psychological counseling was given. Breathing exercises were deep breathing, sustained-maximal breathing, and chest expansion. Hospital-based PR was given with moderate-intensity interval aerobic exercise (AE), while home-based PR was with low-intensity continuous, both with oxygen supplementation. The FC was needed to do his daily activities, and vocational was 1.0 to 6.3 metabolic equivalents (METs). The target of FC 6 METs in 12-18 weeks was set. After six weeks, the RF improved with decreased dyspnea and increased maximum inspiratory volume and chest expansion. The FC increased to 4.2 METs, and monitored-home-based AE was given with vigorous-intensity interval mode. He joined the residency program 10 weeks later and achieved 5.7 METs at the end of PR. We gave unsupervised home-based exercises for his long-term exercise. Conclusion: Breathing and AE improved RF and FC in a COVID-19 patient with morbid obesity admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) to previous vocational activities.

FEV1 and pulmonary rehabilitation: Let's get the facts straight.

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a miracle intervention. Despite the lack of effect on resting lung function,1 symptomatic people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) generally have less symptoms (i.e., dyspnea, fatigue, anxiety and depression), better physical functioning and physiological exercise responses, less care dependency, an improved performance of activities of daily life, less healthcare use and an improved quality of life following a 8–12 weeks multidisciplinary PR program on top of the regular respiratory drug treatment.2-10 To date, post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) is still often used as a selection criterion for referral for PR.11, 12 However, FEV1 is useless for this objective. Let us get the facts straight: Fact 1: Baseline FEV1 does not or only weakly correlate with physical, emotional and social functioning of people with COPD. Daily symptoms (such as dyspnea, fatigue, anxiety and depression), abnormal body composition, low exercise capacity, problematic activities of daily life, low physical activity and an impaired health status can occur in people with COPD, irrespective of the degree of airflow limitation.13-18 Moreover, FEV1 is only weakly correlated with the number of extra-pulmonary traits.18 So, FEV1 cannot be used to identify symptomatic people with limitations in daily functioning and extra-pulmonary traits, which can be addressed during a comprehensive PR program.2 Fact 2: Baseline FEV1 does not predict the likelihood of dropping out. PR programs report that 15%–40% of the participants drop out from the program.5, 19-25 Generally, people with COPD who drop out have similar baseline FEV1 compared to those who complete the PR program.19-22, 24 The presence of psychological factors (i.e., depressive symptoms, lack of motivation and/or distress arising from bodily perceptions), social factors (i.e., transportation difficulties, other duties or responsibilities, unsupportive remarks by staff or patients and/or conflict with other patients) and/or people's perception of insufficient improvements during the PR program, may partially explain why people with COPD drop out, irrespective of baseline FEV1.24, 26 So, baseline FEV1 cannot be used to identify people at risk of dropping out from a PR program. Fact 3: PR improves exercise capacity, symptoms and health status across all grades of COPD severity. Improvements in the abovementioned outcomes have been reported in people with a variety of baseline FEV1 values.27, 28 Moreover, baseline FEV1 (alone or in combination with other lung function attributes) does not predict whether or not people with COPD achieve the minimal important difference for exercise capacity, health status, fatigue, anxiety and/or depression following PR.5, 7, 29-31 So, baseline FEV1 cannot be used to identify responders or non-responders. To conclude, FEV1 has no added to value as selection criterion for PR in people with COPD. Therefore, the respiratory community needs to foster adequate referral to exercise-based interventions, including center-based pulmonary rehabilitation, without using FEV1 as a referral criterion.32 Consequently, an interdisciplinary assessment must go far beyond the regular lung function tests, and should include also patients' physical, emotional and social status.18, 33 Frits M. E. Franssen has received grants and personal fees from AstraZeneca, and personal fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, GSK and Novartis. Martijn A. Spruit received grant from Netherlands Lung Foundation, Stichting Astma Bestrijding, all paid to Ciro. Moreover, he received grants and/or personal fees from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi and Teva, all paid to Ciro.

Health-related Quality of Life and Comprehensive Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Lung Transplantation Patients

重症呼吸不全患者に対する唯一の根本的な治療に肺移植がある．その目的は，生命予後の延長と健康関連QOL（health-related quality of life：HRQL）の改善である．近年，肺移植患者の生命予後改善に伴い，HRQLの改善に関心が向けられている．HRQLは，肺移植により著しく改善するが，健常人と比較すると十分とはいえない．HRQLに影響を与える要因の1つは，呼吸困難の自覚症状であることが指摘されている．肺移植患者のHRQL改善には，呼吸困難に対する包括的な呼吸リハビリテーションが期待されている．本稿では，肺移植患者のHRQLに関して概説する．

Retracted: Virtual Reality Technology Combined with Comprehensive Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2021/9987200.].

Long-term efficiency of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, and asthma: Does it differ?

The long-term effects of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and maintenance programs in obstructive pulmonary diseases have not been sufficiently investigated, particularly in diseases other than COPD. This retrospective study aimed to examine the long-term results of individualized comprehensive outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with obstructive pulmonary disease. This study is a single-center, retrospective cohort study. Between 2010 and 2019, 269 patients with chronic airway obstruction were treated in our multidisciplinary PR center at a tertiary training and research hospital, and they were divided into three groups based on their diagnosis: COPD, bronchiectasis, and asthma. Patients' perceptions of dyspnea, exercise capacity, inspiratory and peripheral muscle strength, body composition, quality of life, and psychosocial status were compared at the beginning, end, and 12th and 24th months of PR. Improvements in dyspnea perception remained longer in asthmatics than in the other two groups. The increases in exercisecapacity in the bronchiectasis and asthma groups lasted two years. All groups maintained their respiratory muscle strength gains at the end of the second year. Improvements in hand grip strength in the COPD and bronchiectasis groups have been sustained for two years, but in the asthma group, enhancements were lost in the second year. Even after the second year, quality of life was still better than the baseline in all groups, despite a worsening in the first year. However, groups anxiety and depression improvements were not sustained after the first year. The long-term effectiveness of PR in patients with bronchiectasis and asthma was similar to that of COPD patients. Therefore,multidisciplinary, comprehensive PR programs should be integrated into the management of patients with bronchiectasis and asthma. We also recommend structured follow-up programs to maintain gains and to detect the need for rerehabilitation.

Frequency and Functional Consequences of Low Appendicular Lean Mass and Sarcopenic Obesity in Patients with Asthma Referred for Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Introduction: One of the most prominent extrapulmonary manifestations in patients with chronic respiratory disease is changes in body weight and composition. However, the frequency and functional consequences of low appendicular lean mass (ALM) or sarcopenic obesity (SO) in patients with asthma are largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to assess the frequency and functional consequences of low appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) and SO in patients with asthma. Methods: A retrospectively analyzed cross-sectional study was conducted in 687 patients with asthma (60% female, 58 ± 13 years, FEV₁ 76 ± 25% pred) referred for comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Body composition, pulmonary function, exercise capacity, quadriceps muscle function, and quality of life were assessed. Patients were classified as presenting low ALMI according to the 10th percentiles of age-sex-body mass index (BMI)-specific reference values and as having SO according to the diagnostic procedure proposed by the 2022 ESPEN/EASO consensus. In addition, clinical outcomes between patients with normal and low ALMI or with and without SO were compared. Results: The frequency of patients classified as low ALMI was 19%, whereas 45% of the patients were obese. Among the obese patients, 29% had SO. In patients with normal weight, those with low ALMI were younger and had worse pulmonary function, exercise capacity and quadriceps muscle function than those with normal ALMI (all p < 0.05). Overweight patients with low ALMI presented poorer pulmonary function and quadriceps muscle function (both strength and total work capacity). In obese class I patients, those with low ALMI showed lower quadriceps strength and maximal oxygen uptake acquired during cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Both male and female patients with SO showed lower quadriceps muscle function and reduced maximal exercise capacity compared to non-SO asthma patients. Conclusion: Approximately one in five asthma patients presented low ALM when age-sex-BMI-specific ALMI cutoffs were applied. Obesity is common among patients with asthma referred for PR. Among the obese patients, a significant proportion presented SO. Low ALM and SO were associated with worse functional outcomes.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Chance for a Multidisciplinary Treatment Approach

Objectives: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by progressively worsening lung function, ventilation capacity, dyspnea, and finally reduced exercise intolerance. All of these have a significant negative impact on functional capacity and quality of life. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in IPF and assess the predictors of success. Methods: Data from 17 IPF patients who completed the program from the total of 27 patients who applied to PR were used in our study. We evaluated their pulmonary function tests, exercise capacity, peripheral-respiratory muscle strength, body composition, quality of life, and psychological states before and after PR. Results: Following the PR program, improvements over the minimal clinically important differences were observed in almost all parameters compared to the baseline; however, statistically significant improvements were only observed in the medical research council (P=0.020), the St. George respiratory questionnaire (P=0.002), the maximal inspiratory pressure (P=0.024), the anxiety score (P=0.001), the depression score (P=0.002), and the right quadriceps muscle strength (P=0.046). There was only a statistically significant negative correlation between the initial forced vital capacity and the forced expiratory volume in one-second value with the increase in patients’ maximal inspiratory pressure values after PR. Discussion: After a multidisciplinary, comprehensive PR program, dyspnea sensation, exercise capacity, endurance time, quality of life, respiratory and peripheral muscle strengths, and psychological status were improved regardless of age, gender, antifibrotic treatment, and comorbidities. Therefore, patients should be referred to PR units before the deterioration in the quality of life in the early stages of the disease.

Isokinetic testing of quadriceps function in COPD: feasibility, responsiveness, and minimal important differences in patients undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation

BackgroundIsokinetic testing of peripheral muscle function is valid and reliable in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ObjectiveTo evaluate whether and to what extent isokinetic testing of quadriceps function meets pre-defined test criteria in patients with COPD; to determine the response to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), and to calculate minimal important differences (MIDs) of isokinetic quadriceps function. MethodsRetrospective analysis of 2033 patients with COPD (age: 65±9 years, body mass index: 26±6 kg/m2, FEV1: 49±22% predicted) who followed a comprehensive PR program. Pre and post PR isokinetic quadriceps function was assessed with 30 maximal extension-flexion contractions at an angular speed of 90°/s on a computerized dynamometer. The chosen anchors were 6-min walk test and COPD assessment test. ResultsPre PR, 27% of the patients performed the isokinetic test incorrectly. In male and female patients with a correct pre and post PR isokinetic test, peak torque (Δ=10±13 Nm or 9% and Δ=7±9 Nm or 10%, respectively) and total work (Δ=263±270 J or 14% and Δ=198±190 J or 15%, respectively) improved significantly. There was no change in work fatigue index following PR. Using distribution-based calculations, MID estimates for peak torque and total work ranged between 6–7 Nm and 97–135 J in males and between 4–5 Nm and 62–99 J in females. ConclusionsBased on the current test criteria, three in four patients with COPD performed the isokinetic quadriceps test correctly during baseline PR assessment. Furthermore, peak torque and total work, but not work fatigue index, were responsive to PR and sex-specific MIDs were established.

Effects of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Including Inspiratory Muscle Training in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease after Stratification by the Degree of Static Hyperinflation

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) improves inspiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity and health status in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, there is no additional effect on top of comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). It is unclear whether patients with different baseline degrees of static hyperinflation respond differentially to IMT as part of a PR program. Therefore, the aim was to study the effects of IMT as an add-on on PR after stratification for baseline degrees of static hyperinflation. In this single center retrospective study data were extracted between June 2013 and October 2020 of COPD patients who participated in a comprehensive PR program including IMT. IMT was performed twice daily, one session consisted of 3 series of 10 breaths and training intensity was set initially at a load of approximately 50% of patients' maximal static inspiratory mouth pressure (MIP). The primary outcome measure was MIP. Secondary outcomes were the distance achieved on the 6-min walk test (6MWD), endurance cycling exercise capacity at 75% of the peak work rate (CWRT) and disease-specific health status using the COPD assessment test. 754 patients with COPD were screened for eligibility and 328 were excluded because of repeated PR programs, missing data or baseline residual volume (RV) > 350%. In total, 426 COPD patients were categorized into RV categories 50-130% (n = 84), 131-165% (n = 86), 166-197% (n = 86), 198-234% (n = 85) and 235-349% (n = 85). In the whole sample, MIP, endurance exercise capacity and health status improved significantly. The change in 6MWD was higher in the lowest baseline degree of static hyperinflation [+ 39 (9-92) m] compared with the baseline highest degree of static hyperinflation [+ 11 (- 18-54) m] (p < 0.05). IMT as part of a PR program in patients with COPD with different baseline degrees improved MIP irrespective of the degree of static lung hyperinflation. Improvement in functional exercise capacity was significantly higher in the group with the lowest degree of static hyperinflation compared with the patients with the highest degree of static hyperinflation.

An overview of Cochrane systematic reviews for pulmonary rehabilitation interventions in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a mapping synthesis.

There is a global unmet need for rehabilitation to meet which the World Health Organization, in collaboration with Cochrane Rehabilitation, is developing the Package of Interventions for Rehabilitation with the aim of identifying rehabilitation interventions relevant to a range of key health conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The purpose of this paper is to describe the best available evidence on pulmonary rehabilitation interventions for people with COPD. An Overview of Cochrane Systematic Reviews (CSRs). Through the search strategy, COPD-related systematic reviews published from January 2009 to November 2021 were identified. Data were extracted on each reported outcome related to an intervention and judgements about the quality of evidence were made, using the GRADE approach. Seventeen reviews were analyzed, for a total of 314 primary studies that included 22,206 participants. CSRs provided information on the effectiveness of rehabilitation on functioning, activity, quality of life, anxiety, depression, mortality, and health care resource utilization. Our findings report that comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation programs and water exercises improve the exercise capacity and quality of life (QoL) in people with COPD. Different exercise modalities, intensities, and settings for different muscle groups, breathing exercises, and counseling can improve exercise capacity, QoL, dyspnea, hospitalizations, and physical activity. It is uncertain whether breathing exercise, low-intensity exercise, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and psychological intervention have an effect on exercise capacity, dyspnea, QoL, and physical activity. The protocol was registered on OSF (registration DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/8A26Q).

Efficacy of Comprehensive Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Kyphoscoliosis; in Which Patients, the Gainings are Prominent?

Efficacy of Comprehensive Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Kyphoscoliosis; in Which Patients, the Gainings are Prominent?

코로나 바이러스 감염증-19 환자를 위한 호흡재활

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) causes various physical and mental impairments as well as respiratory symptoms. Based on the positive effects of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for other respiratory diseases, many clinical researches on PR have been published in COVID-19 patients. It is sufficiently safe and effective to apply various PR techniques to these patients and well known for improving physical and pulmonary function. The effect of PR exceeds the natural recovery of the disease. Therefore, it is recommended to provide comprehensive exercise-based PR as much as possible. In response for the arrival of a similar pandemic in the future, it is thought that preparation for non- or minimal contact rehabilitation is required.