Effects of aerobic training combined with respiratory muscle stretching on the functional exercise capacity and thoracoabdominal kinematics in patients with COPD: a randomized and controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundPatients with COPD present a major recruitment of the inspiratory muscles, predisposing to chest incoordination, increasing the degree of dyspnea and impairing their exercise capacity. Stretching techniques could decrease the respiratory muscle activity and improve their contractile capacity; however, the systemic effects of stretching remain unknown.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aerobic training combined with respiratory muscle stretching on functional exercise capacity and thoracoabdominal kinematics in patients with COPD.DesignThis study was a randomized and controlled trial.ParticipantsA total of 30 patients were allocated to a treatment group (TG) or a control group (CG; n=15, each group).InterventionThe TG was engaged in respiratory muscle stretching and the CG in upper and lower limb muscle stretching. Both groups performed 24 sessions (twice a week, 12 weeks) of aerobic training.EvaluationsFunctional exercise capacity (6-minute walk test), thoracoabdominal kinematics (optoelectronic plethysmography), and respiratory muscle activity (surface electromyography) were evaluated during exercise. Analysis of covariance was used to compare the groups at a significance level of 5%.ResultsAfter the intervention, the TG showed improved abdominal (ABD) contribution, compartmental volume, mobility, and functional exercise capacity with decreased dyspnea when compared with the CG (P<0.01). The TG also showed a decreased respiratory muscle effort required to obtain the same pulmonary volume compared to the CG (P<0.001).ConclusionOur results suggest that aerobic training combined with respiratory muscle stretching increases the functional exercise capacity with decreased dyspnea in patients with COPD. These effects are associated with an increased efficacy of the respiratory muscles and participation of the ABD compartment.

Muscle metabolomics analysis reveals potential biomarkers of exercise‑dependent improvement of the diaphragm function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

“…The comparison of diaphragm function and structure between the CEG and the CMG indicated that exercise significantly improved the diaphragm function, which was also consistent with previous studies (68,69). Although other studies (70,71) have indicated that physical exercise or respiratory re-education increased the strength of respiratory muscles, the effect of specific muscle training has been widely debated (72). In addition, the effectiveness of exercise training observed in the present study does not indicate that all types of exercise have beneficial effects on the diaphragms of patients with COPD.…”

The usefulness of surface electromyography in rehabilitation and physiotherapy: systematic review

“…Scores on the PEDro scale for the papers in this category ranged 5-8, with an overall average rating of 6.66. Three studies included in this category were rated good and 2 were rated fair [30,31,32,33,34] -Table 1. Comparison between these studies was difficult as they included patients with various musculoskeletal disorders and different types of therapy.…”

Endoscopic Treatment and Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Management of Lung Abscess in Elderly Lymphoma Patients

“…The fundamental point that we would like to underline in our work is the need for chest physiotherapy performed early during hospitalization and continuation of pulmonary rehabilitation up to 4 weeks after discharge. Usually, the elderly patient has numerous comorbidities of which the most frequent is COPD [27][28][29][30]. This pathology, associated with the destruction of the lung parenchyma by the abscess, affects the respiratory performance and, consequently, the quality of life of the subject.…”