RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The effects of an 8 week pilot community pulmonary rehabilitation programme on exercise tolerance and quality of life
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP p1272
VO 38
IS Suppl 55
A1 Baily, Clare
A1 Spencer, Michelle
A1 Murphy, Niamh
A1 Barron, Paula
YR 2011
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p1272.abstract
AB Introduction: Hospital gyms have been common sites for pulmonary rehabilitation programmes, however they are high in demand and weekly availability can be limited [1]. Pulmonary rehabilitaiton in a community environment may enable more patients to access this essential component of care. The aim of this pilot community pulmonary rehabilitation programme was to examine its effects on quality of life and exercise tolerance.Methods: Seven patients (3 female, 4 male) from the SJH pulmonary rehabilitation waiting list were included in the programme. All underwent an 8-week programme (8 supervised sessions, 16 unsupervised home sessions) of exercise training and education. Subjects were assessed at baseline and on programme completion on measures of exercise capacity (6MWT) and quality of life (Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire).Results: Six patients (3 female, 3 male) completed the programme-mean age 66.6 years, mean% predicted FEV1 43.8%. The mean number of classes attended was 7 and mean number of home sessions completed was 9. On completion of the programme there was a significant increase in the 6MWT of 75.5metres, a significant decline in the fatigue domain of the CRQ (4.6 to 4.1) and no other significant changes in the CRQ.Conclusion: Results of this pilot study support the potential role of community pulmonary rehabilitation programmes in improving exercise tolerance in patients with chronic respiratory disease.References:1. Ward JA, Akers G, Ward DG, Pinnuck M, Williams S, Trott J et al. Feasibility and effectiveness of a pulmonary rehabilitation programme in a community hospital setting. British Journal of General Practice 2002; 52(480):539-542.