Effectiveness of home rehabilitation programme in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of a six month home rehabilitation program on dyspnea, leg fatigue, exercise capacity, anxiety and depression in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, having moderate to severe airway obstruction who are in a stable phase. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five stable moderate to severe COPD patients were admitted to study. Pulmonary rehabilitation program consisted of patient education, breathing retraining, low intensity upper and lower extremity exercises. At baseline and at the end of 2nd, 4th and 6th months, dyspnea scores and leg fatigue using Borg scale; functional capacity with 6 minute walking test and emotional state of patients with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) were evaluated. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in exercise dyspnea scores at the 6th month; in resting dyspnea score, resting and exercise leg fatigue at the 4th and 6th month compared to baseline values (p<0.05). While there was a significant improvement in 6 minute walking test, BDI scores and HAD scores were found to be significantly decreased at the 2nd, 4th and 6th month (p<0.05). Conclusion: Rehabilitation program that is performed by the patients at home, provides improvement in exercise tolerance, diminishes the severity of dyspnea and leg fatigue and improves the emotional state of COPD patients.