Psychological changes in exercising COPD patients

The effects of regular aerobic exercise on state-trait anxiety (Spielberger) and Depression (Zung) were assessed for nine men and six women, 46-71 years of age, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Treatment subjects (N = 9) were evaluated prior to and following 14 and 28 weeks of exercise. Control subjects (N = 6) were evaluated at the same times but did not participate in the initial 14 weeks of exercise. The exercise regime consisted of stretching before and after 30 minutes of walking at about 50% of maximal oxygen uptake. Analyses showed the exercise intervention to have little impact on state-trait anxiety or depression scores. Anecdotal remarks and perceptions of the subjects suggest that further investigation of the relationship between exercise and psychological status of COPC patients is justified.