Cognitive and psychological outcomes of exercise in a 1-year follow-up study of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Health Psychol. 2003 Nov;22(6):598-604. doi: 10.1037/0278-6133.22.6.598.

Abstract

This study evaluated outcomes of self-directed exercise activity on cognitive functioning and psychological well-being among 28 adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Participants had completed an intensive 10-week program of exercise training and were given an exercise prescription to follow. One year later, participants completed comprehensive assessments of physical, cognitive, and psychological functioning. At follow-up, 39% (n=11) had continued with a regular program of moderate intensity exercise. Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that exercise adherent participants maintained gains they had achieved in the initial exercise intervention, but nonexercise participants experienced declines in functional capacity, cognitive performance, and psychological well-being. Continued exercise among patients with COPD is associated with maintenance of physical, cognitive, and psychological functioning.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Exercise / psychology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Compliance
  • Psychological Tests
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / physiopathology
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / psychology*
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / therapy*
  • Sickness Impact Profile
  • Socioeconomic Factors