[The effect of unsupervised home exercise program for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]

This study assessed the effects of an unsupervised exercise training program at home on exercise function and health related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Forty-two patients with COPD (age 72.9+/-7.7 years; all males) were assigned to the exercise group (n=32) or the no-exercise group (n=10). The exercise group received a video recording of respiratory exercises to help them perform this program at home for six months. The no-exercise group did not receive any exercise program. The outcome measures were forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), vital capacity (VC), MRC dyspnea scale, 6 min walking distance (6MWD), shuttle walking distance (SWD), Borg scale and chronic respiratory disease questionnaire (CRQ) which includes four domains: dyspnea, fatigue, emotional function, and mastery.

Patients completing this study consisted of: 19 patients in the exercise group, and 7 patients in the no-exercise group. Seventeen of the patients in the exercise group performed respiratory exercises every day for six months. We did not find any significant change in pulmonary function and dyspnea in either group. Significant improvements were achieved in 6MWD, SWD, CRQ (Dyspnea, Mastery) in the exercise group only.

Our study suggested that unsupervised exercise training program at home consisting of respiratory exercise improved of exercise tolerance and HRQOL in patients with COPD.