PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Kofod, Linette Marie
AU  - Døssing, Martin
AU  - Steentoft, Johnna
AU  - Tange Kristensen, Morten
TI  - Feasibility of progressive knee-extension strength training using ankle weight cuffs in patients hospitalized with COPD for acute exacerbation
DP  - 2013 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - P3164
VI  - 42
IP  - Suppl 57
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P3164.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P3164.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2013 Sep 01; 42
AB  - IntroductionMuscle weakness in COPD is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. It is desirable to develop an easily applicable method of training to prevent patients with COPD from losing strength and function ObjectiveTo examine the feasibility of progressive strength training using ankle weight cuffs in patients hospitalized with COPD in acute exacerbation MethodsTwenty patients with COPD (12 men and 8 women – mean (SD) age of 71.6 (10.1) years) with a mean FEV1 33% (16.2) and a MRC 4.3 (0.6) conducted daily unilateral knee-extension strength training. The patient was seated on the bedside using ankle weights cuffs in 3 sets of 10 repetition maximum loadings (adjusted on a set-by-set basis). The Sit-to-stand (STS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests were assessed before and after the strength program ResultsWeight loads increased progressively by an average of 33% (P<0.001) from 7.4 (3.9) to 9.4 (4.1) for the 20 patients who performed 83 out of 92 possible sessions over 4 (3) days. Dyspnea did not compromise strength training. Eight patients did not complete the program due to: transfer to other wards (n=4), weekend (n=2) and diarrhea (n=1) and training load > 20 kg (n=1). Patients who conducted more than two training sessions (n=11) increased weight loads with 57% after a mean of 6 (2.9) days. The TUG and STS improved (n=11, P≤0.001) by 15% and 56% respectively ConclusionsProgressive knee-extension strength training using ankle weight cuffs seems feasible and may be effective in improving function and preventing loss of strength in patients hospitalized with severe COPD. Confirmation in a randomized design is needed.