[Specific effect of exercise training on depression in COPD patients]

Depression is a common comorbidity in COPD patients, worsening their quality of life and their current level of physical activity. Respiratory rehabilitation is therefore highly recommended for COPD patients but only few of them have access to that kind of program. In real life, exercise training is often the only therapeutic activity provided to patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the specific effect of exercise training on the level of depression (using Beck Depression inventory short form (BDI-SF)) and quality of life in COPD patients [using the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)]. Five hundred and fifteen COPD patients were enrolled in home-based exercise training programs. 421 programs were completed and the data was available for 182 patients (SGRQ, BDI-SF et TE) at T0 and T12.

Dyspnoea (mMRC), SGRQ, BDI-SF scores and TE were significantly improved by the exercise training: mMRC 2,7±0,9 vs. 2,3±1,2; SGRQ 45±15 vs 34±18; BDI-SF 4,2±5,1 vs. 2,7±4,3; TE 6,4±5,4 vs. 17,2±12,8 respectively at T0 and T12. The improvement of TE was significantly correlated to that of the SGRQ scores (r=0,4; P<0,001) and of the BDI-SF scores (r=-0,24; P=0,001).

This home-based exercise training program improved dyspnoea, quality of life, depression and exercise capacity. The improvement of the TE and BDI-SF scores were correlated.