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Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 24, 2019
Effect of upper extremity exercise in people with COPD
Ganesan Kathiresan1, Senthil Kumar Jeyaraman, Jayachandran Jaganathan
1School of Therapeutic sciences, Masterskill University College, Malaysia;
Journal of Thoracic Disease
|January 21, 2012
Summary
Arm training significantly improves exercise capacity and strength in individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This review highlights the benefits of upper extremity exercise for COPD patients, suggesting its inclusion in rehabilitation programs.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) rehabilitation traditionally emphasizes lower limb training.
- The effectiveness of upper extremity (arm) training in COPD patients remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing literature on the efficacy of upper extremity exercise interventions.
- To assess the impact of arm training on exercise capacity and strength in individuals with COPD.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive search of electronic databases and reference lists was conducted for relevant trials.
- Meta-analysis was employed to determine effect sizes and confidence intervals for training outcomes.
Main Results:
- Unsupported arm training demonstrated a large positive effect on arm endurance capacity (SMD=1.25).
- Combined supported and unsupported arm training significantly enhanced peak arm exercise capacity (SMD=1.27).
- Arm strength training yielded moderate improvements in arm strength (SMD=0.46).
Conclusions:
- Short-term arm endurance and strength training positively impact exercise capacity and strength in COPD patients.
- Further research is warranted to investigate the long-term effects of arm training interventions in this population.
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