Chair-based versus standard home exercise programs in people with COPD: A randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• Exercise Physiology
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients often face limitations with standing exercises due to balance issues or fatigue.
• Chair-based exercise presents a viable alternative for this population, promoting accessibility and adherence.
• Home-based exercise programs are crucial for managing COPD, but their optimal format requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of chair-based versus standard home-based exercise programs in COPD patients.
• To evaluate improvements in functional capacity, respiratory parameters, and quality of life.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 64 clinically stable COPD patients.
• Participants were allocated to either a Standard Exercise Group (SGr) or a Chair-Based Exercise Group (ChGr).
• Both groups underwent an 8-week home-based program with supervised online sessions and weekly follow-ups, assessing outcomes like the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), dyspnea scale (mMRC), and pulmonary function.

Main Results:

• Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in dyspnea, fatigue, physical activity, and quality of life (SGRQ).
• The chair-based group showed significant increases in 6MWT distance, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP/MEP), and peak expiratory flow percentage (PEF%).
• The chair-based group exhibited superior improvements in MEP% and PEF% compared to the standard group, with no reported adverse events.

Conclusions:

• Both chair-based and standard home-based exercises enhance COPD symptoms, physical activity, and quality of life.
• Chair-based exercise programs lead to significant improvements in functional capacity and specific respiratory measures.
• This study highlights the efficacy of chair-based exercise as a beneficial intervention for COPD management.