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Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 24, 2019
A feasible lifestyle program for early intervention in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a
Maria Fässberg Norrhall1, Anna Nilsfelt, Edgardo Varas
1Sahlgrenska School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Section of Primary Health Care, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Aim:
To evaluate the feasibility of a lifestyle program for early intervention in patients with COPD in a primary care population.
Methods:
The study was performed in a Primary Health Care Centre in Western Sweden. During a four-week period, all smokers between 40-70 years of age were invited to answer a questionnaire and to perform spirometry. The intervention program included a specially designed smoking cessation program and programs for physical activity and diet.
Results:
84 smokers were included. 42% fulfilled the criteria for COPD. All of the COPD patients were in GOLD stage I and II. Among the COPD subjects, 38% were underweight and 56% had a low fat-free mass - both together indicating malnutrition and the need for nutritional treatment. By the end of the intervention program, 47% of the COPD patients had stopped smoking.
Conclusions:
The intervention program was feasible and effective with a very high smoking cessation rate.
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