Peculiarities of physical therapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: practical experience

Aim: The aim of the study is todetermine the feasibility of using a home pulmonary rehabilitation program and evaluate its impact on patients with COPD in the GOLD B group.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on the basis of the «Healthy Movements» studio (Poltava). Patients were involved in the study after receiving secondary (specialized) medical care, the basis of which was physical therapy treatment and exercise therapy in accordance with the clinical protocol approved by the internal order of the health care institution. A total of 30 people (aged 59 to 68.4 years) with II degree chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (50 % ≤ FEV1 < 80 % of normal) in remission took part in the study. Research methods: pedagogical, medical and biological , methods of mathematical statistics.

Results: Each patient confirmed the achievement of the general goal, namely, increasing the number of therapeutic exercises from 3 to 5 times a week, improving the quality of life, more active participation in improving their health and awareness of the disease. The patients considered self-management training to be the most valuable.

Conclusions: Pulmonary rehabilitation is indicated for all patients, regardless of the degree of the disease. The most ef f ective are 6-12 week programs that include breathing exercises, self-management training and training of the patient's environment, strengthening exercises, psychological support, diet therapy.