Respiration · 2009 · 39 citations · 0 references
MedicineClinical SciencesRehabilitation MedicinePulmonary Function TestingPulmonologyRehabilitationAirway ObstructionChronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease RehabilitationExercise Tolerance AssessmentObstructive Lung DiseaseRespiratory RehabilitationAirflow Obstruction AssessmentChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease AssessmentExercise Tolerance EvaluationExercise Tolerance ImprovementPulmonary Function RehabilitationPulmonary Obstruction AssessmentRespiratory RateRespiratory Rate Evaluation
51 male patients with mild degree chronic airway obstruction underwent detailed evaluation of pulmonary function tests, blood gas analysis and exercise tolerance test before and after a short-term therapy. The patients were randomly assigned to medical therapy alone or to medical and rehabilitative therapy. 23 patients treated with medical and rehabilitative therapy showed a significant decrease of respiratory rate and P<sub>a</sub>CO<sub>2</sub> and a significant increase of TV, FEV<sub>1.0</sub>, FEV<sub>0.75×</sub><sub>4.0</sub>, p<sub>a</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, SaO<sub>2</sub> and exercise tolerance after a month of therapy. 28 patients treated with medical therapy alone showed a significant increase of VC and FEV<sub>0.75x4.0</sub>. These data suggest that rehabilitative therapy is a valid adjunct to medical therapy in the short-term treatment of chronic airway obstruction.