The effect of exercise in pulmonary rehabilitation on the quality of life of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The purpose of the study was to measure the responses of chronic obstructivepulmonary disease patients to an exercise programme in a South Africa setting. Ninesubjects were evaluated before and after aerobic and resistance training three times aweek for the total of 12 weeks. Each evaluation measured forced expiratory lungfunction; health-related quality of life; functional capacity; level of dyspnea; bodycomposition; physician global evaluation; and the patient global evaluation. Theexercise programme consisted of one-hour exercise sessions, three times a week for 12weeks. The exercise sessions included elements of aerobic and resistance training ofthe upper and lower extremities. Functional capacity improved drastically (p < 0.01),as did the physician and the patient global evaluations (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01,respectively). Levels of dyspnea also improved (p < 0.01). Health-related quality oflife improved marginally (p = 0.03). No significant change was noted in lung functionand body composition. The study concluded that an exercise programme consisting ofaerobic and resistance training improves chronic obstructive pulmonary diseasepatients' health-related quality of life, functional capacity and levels of dyspnea.Exercise also reduces the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as areperceived by the physician and patient alike. Exercise does not change lung function orbody composition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Exercise inconjunction with appropriate medical treatment has the potential to benefit all chronicobstructive patients in South Africa.Keywords: COPD, quality oflife, functional capacity, rehabilitation, exercise.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University