PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Jun Horie AU - Kunihiko Anami AU - Masahide Tanaka AU - Shin-ichiro Hayashi TI - Relationships between changes in the respiratory distress level of COPD patients undergoing a six-minute walking distance test, their physical functions, and exercise capacity DP - 2013 Sep 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - P3705 VI - 42 IP - Suppl 57 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P3705.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P3705.full SO - Eur Respir J2013 Sep 01; 42 AB - Background: For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), respiratory distress is an important factor that may cause a number of negative events. The study aimed to examine the effects of changes in the respiratory distress level, following the 6MWD test, on the physical functions, exercise capacity, ADL, and health-related QOL.Methods: Subjects were 181 COPD patients (167 males and 14 females, mean age: 73.3 ± 9.4 years old) in the stable phase who were undergoing respiratory rehabilitation. The subjects were classified into two groups: moderate and severe respiratory distress groups, according to the %dyspnea; following the 6MWD test, the change in the respiratory distress level was determined on the Borg scale, and the %dyspnea was calculated by dividing the amount of change by the walking distance. The %FVC, %FEV1, %MIP, %MEP, grip strength, strength of QF (quadriceps femoris), maximum walking speed, TUG (timed up and go), 6MWD, and ISWD (incremental shuttle walking distance) test scores, ADL, and health-related QOL scores were measured or determined.Results: Patients with moderate respiratory distress received significantly higher %FVC, %FEV1, %MIP, %MEP, QF, maximum walking speed, TUG, 6MWD, ISWD, ADL, and QOL scores compared to the severe respiratory distress group. An analysis extracted only the 6MWD as the factor influencing the %dyspnea.Conclusion: It is necessary to implement a comprehensive approach for patients who are short of breath, including the provision of muscle and ADL training as well as social support, in addition to training designed to improve exercise tolerance.