Activity Endurance of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease after Attending Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Tzu-Ling Wang ； Yu-Ching Lin ； An-Chi Chung ； Shu-Ying Chung

《胸腔醫學》 36卷4期 (2021/12) Pp. 246-260

摘要

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health problem and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Long-term exposure to ambient particulate matter 2.5 μm (PM_(2.5)) is associated with an increased risk of COPD incidence. Studies have shown that pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) can improve the exercise tolerance and quality of life of patients with COPD. Little is known about the effect of PR on patients with COPD in Taiwan. The purpose of this study was to investigate the activity endurance of COPD patients after undergoing PR training. Methods: This was an observational study in the thoracic medical clinic of a teaching hospital in southern Taiwan. Sixty-six patients aged 42-90 years (71.45±11.74) and diagnosed with COPD groups B, C, or D, who had completed 6 training sessions, were enrolled. Measurements included a 6-minute walk test (6MWT), a modified Borg scale (mBorg), a modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (mMRC), a COPD Assessment Test (CAT), and pulse oximeter oxygen saturation (SpO_2). Measurements were taken to assess the degree of dyspnea while the patients were performing rehabilitation exercises. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 22.0 (SPSS 22.0) for Windows software. Results: The results of the study revealed that the variables affecting the 6MWT were the mMRC score, the CAT, home exercise habits and home exercise frequency (p＜0.05). The results of hierarchical regression showed that the 6MWT was affected by age, the mMRC score, and BMI, and the 6MWT % predicted (6MWT %pred) was affected by the mMRC score and age. The changes in vital signs during the 6 training sessions indicated that the severity of COPD had an impact on the mBorg score, while the changes in diastolic blood pressure in patients with severe COPD had a significant influence. Conclusion: The mMRC score and age were the main factors affecting activity endurance, the 6MWT and the 6MWT %pred for COPD patients undergoing PR. During PR training, monitoring changes in the diastolic blood pressure of patients with mild to severe COPD is an important measure.

關鍵字

pulmonary rehabilitation ； activity endurance ； COPD