Abstract
Introduction: Perceived health status is being recognized as an important outcome measure when evaluating patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Objectives: To evaluate the repercussion of different physical therapy interventions on the perceived health status of COPD patients during hospitalization due to acute exacerbation (AE).
Methods: Randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomly assigned to three groups.
Control group received standard medical treatment. Intervention groups (IG) 1 and 2 received additionally a physical therapy program. IG 1 performed daily controlled breathing exercises and active range of motion exercises and IG 2 daily resistance lower limbs exercises.
Perceived health status as main outcome was assessed at baseline and at discharge using the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) questionnaire. Clinical profile was also evaluated.
Results: 90 patients were included. No significant differences were observed between groups at admission.
| Variable | Control group (n=30) | p-value | IG 1 (n=30) | p-value | IG 2 (n=30) | p-value |
| EQ-5D index | ||||||
| Pre | 0,302±0,418 | 0,424±0,384 | 0,384±0,451 | |||
| Post | 0,624±0,414 | <,001** | 0,810±0,247 | <,001** | 0,854±0,381 | <,001** |
| EQ-5D VAS | ||||||
| Pre | 42,45±16,95 | 50,00±9,83 | 43,82±1,54 | |||
| Post | 56,22±21,56 | <,001** | 78,33±15,83 | <,001** | 72,93±14,29 | <,001** |
EQ-5D: EuroQol-5D; VAS: Visual Analogue Scale; p<0,001**
Effects of the interventions
IG 1 and 2 showed significant between groups differences in EQ-5D index and VAS at discharge when compared to the control group. No significant differences were observed between IG 1 and 2.
Conclusions: Physical therapy added to standard treatment in patients hospitalized due to AECOPD achieves a higher improvement than standard medical treatment alone.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
