Objective: To investigate the effect of exercise therapy on activity of daily living (ADL) and lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Methods: A total of 122 patients with moderate to severe COPD received routine treatment.The patients were divided into 2 groups randomly. Sixty-two patients in the experimental group received respiratory training on the basis of respiratory pathophysiology and aerobic exercise for 1 year. Medical research council scale (MRC) score, ADL score, 6-min walking distance, and lung function were measured.
Results: The MRC grade after the exercise therapy was lower than that before the exercise therapy in the experimental group (P<0.01) and the control group (P<0.05). The ADL score and 6-min walking distance increased compared with that before the respiratory training (P<0.05).After the respiratory training, the ADL score and 6-min walking distance had significant difference between the experimental group and the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Long term and individual exercise therapy can relieve dyspnea, and improve the exercise tolerance and quality of life in COPD patients.