Outcomes of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Ergün Pinar Kaymaz, Dicle Günay, Ersin Erdoğan, Yurdanur Turay, Ülkü Yilmaz, Demir Neşe Çanak, Ebru Sengül, Fatma Egesel, Nurcan Köse, Serdal Kenan
Primary Institution: Atatürk Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Hypothesis
Is pulmonary rehabilitation equally effective in early and late stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
Conclusion
Patients with COPD benefit from a comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program regardless of disease severity.
Supporting Evidence
- Improvements in forced vital capacity (FVC) were statistically significant in early stage patients.
- Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and exercise capacity improved significantly in both groups.
- Psychological status improved significantly after rehabilitation in both early and late stages.
Takeaway
This study shows that both early and late stage COPD patients can get better with a special exercise and education program.
Methodology
55 stable COPD patients underwent an 8-week comprehensive out-patient pulmonary rehabilitation program, with assessments before and after treatment.
Limitations
The study may not fully represent the effects of PR according to GOLD stages due to small sample sizes in some categories.
Participant Demographics
Patients were grouped into early (28 patients) and late (27 patients) stages of COPD, with a mean age of 63.25 years for early stage and 62.81 years for late stage.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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