TY - JOUR T1 - Role of chest expansion in pulmonary rehabilitation JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 42 IS - Suppl 57 SP - P3733 AU - Zsuzsanna Balogh AU - Laszlo Lengyel AU - Janos Varga Y1 - 2013/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P3733.abstract N2 - Rationale: Chest wall dynamic hyperinflation and rib cage distortion can be a contributor to breathlessness in patients with COPD. The procedure to increase chest mobility includes specific chest stretching and mobilization. Complex pulmonary rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, breathing- and exercise training has favourable effect.Materials and methods: 48 patients with COPD (FEV1: 43±17 %pred, age: 62±8 years) was involved in the study. Chest wall-stretching exercises were composed of thoracic rotation and anterior compression with stretching in sitting position, trunk extension and rib torsion in supine lying. Patients were performing personalized exercise training including cycling and treadmill exercise 2-3 times for 20-30 minutes per day at 60-80% of peak work rate for 6 weeks.Results: Rehabilitation resulted improvement in six minutes walking distance (6MWD: 312±42 vs. 407±35m, p<0,05), chest expansion (3,9±1,2 vs. 5,9±0,7cm, p<0,05) and modified Borg scale (Borg (D): 7,6±2,3 vs. 4,8±1,3, p<0,05). FEV1 did not change significantly (43±17 vs. 45±19 %pred), and there was no correlation between FEV1 and chest expansion. The change of inspiratory- (IRV) and expiratory reserve volume (ERV) values did correlate with chest expansion (IRV: R2=0,38; ERV: R2=0,30, p<0,05).Conclusion: Chest wall expansion, dyspnea, hyperinflation and 6MWD significantly improved. Chest expansion was correlated with IRV and ERV. Measurement of chest expansion may add valuable information for the effectivity of pulmonary rehabilitation. ER -