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Show allPulmonary Rehabilitation Results in Significant Effect on Physical Outcomes: Preliminary Data from the Saint John Regional Hospital, New Brunswick, Canada
Abstract
Background: Current guidelines claim that pulmonary rehabilitation is a cost effective method for increasing exercise tolerance, decreasing hospitalization, and improving knowledge and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The purpose of the present study was to examine the changes in physical and psychological outcomes during and after completion of a pulmonary program.
Methods: Between September 2004 and April 2006, 27 patients attended pulmonary rehabilitation. All patients were referred by a Respirologist and had moderate to severe respiratory impairment on pulmonary function testing. They attended 3 supervised exercise sessions per week for 10 weeks under the supervision of a nurse and physiotherapist. Education modules were provided by the physiotherapist and respiratory therapist to increase knowledge and independence with disease management. Data was collected pre and post program, and at 3 month and 6 month follow up visits. There were 16 patients (59.3%) who had complete data and attended all follow-up appointments. Outcomes included the six minute walk test (6MWT) and chronic respiratory questionnaire (CRQ). Follow up visits also assessed exercise adherence and readmissions for respiratory problems.
Results: Repeated measures analysis of variance showed improvement in 6MWT and average metabolic equivalent (MET) from pre to post program (P < .05) which remained stable up to 6 months follow-up. The same analysis did not show improvement for any of the variables measured in the CRQ. Exercise routine, as reported by patients at 6 months, was 4.7 days per week for 28 minutes per session. Readmissions for pulmonary problems were reported by 3 patients, 2 at the 3 month assessment and 1 at the 6 month.
Conclusions: Preliminary program results show improvement in physical outcomes and impressive exercise adherence at 6 months follow-up. The small sample size is an obvious limitation, but being an ongoing program, future data will reveal if these initial findings persist.
Methods: Between September 2004 and April 2006, 27 patients attended pulmonary rehabilitation. All patients were referred by a Respirologist and had moderate to severe respiratory impairment on pulmonary function testing. They attended 3 supervised exercise sessions per week for 10 weeks under the supervision of a nurse and physiotherapist. Education modules were provided by the physiotherapist and respiratory therapist to increase knowledge and independence with disease management. Data was collected pre and post program, and at 3 month and 6 month follow up visits. There were 16 patients (59.3%) who had complete data and attended all follow-up appointments. Outcomes included the six minute walk test (6MWT) and chronic respiratory questionnaire (CRQ). Follow up visits also assessed exercise adherence and readmissions for respiratory problems.
Results: Repeated measures analysis of variance showed improvement in 6MWT and average metabolic equivalent (MET) from pre to post program (P < .05) which remained stable up to 6 months follow-up. The same analysis did not show improvement for any of the variables measured in the CRQ. Exercise routine, as reported by patients at 6 months, was 4.7 days per week for 28 minutes per session. Readmissions for pulmonary problems were reported by 3 patients, 2 at the 3 month assessment and 1 at the 6 month.
Conclusions: Preliminary program results show improvement in physical outcomes and impressive exercise adherence at 6 months follow-up. The small sample size is an obvious limitation, but being an ongoing program, future data will reveal if these initial findings persist.
© 2007-2012 Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation.
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