Investigating the effect of adding pulmonary rehabilitation to respiratory physiotherapy in patients with COPD exacerbation, referring to Masih Daneshvari Hospital

Investigating the effect of adding the pulmonary rehabilitation to respiratory physiotherapy in patients with COPD exacerbation referring to Masih Daneshvari Hospital

A controlled, parallel-group, single-blind, randomized, phase 3 clinical trial on 82 patients, using a random number table for randomization.

The present study is a clinical trial on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation referred to Masih Daneshvari Hospital in Tehran. In the control group, patients perform breathing exercises along with upper limb stretching. In the intervention group, in addition to the control group exercises, patients perform aerobic exercise on a stationary bike or treadmill. Then, they perform strengthening exercises on the muscles of the upper and lower limbs.

Inclusion criteria included COPD grade 3 and higher (FEV1% predicted"30-49 and ˂30, post bronchodilator FEV1/FVC˂0.7), no comorbidities, no separate medication outside the prescribed line of therapy, patients undergoing oxygen therapy and line of therapy including antibiotics, corticosteroids, bronchodilators (spray) at the same dose, and exclusion criteria included acute cardiac problems, pneumothorax, embolism, musculoskeletal problems, severe distress, and the patient's inability to perform tests.

In the control group, the patient is initially taught breathing exercises and stretching exercises on the bed by a specialist physiotherapist. In the intervention group, in addition to respiratory physiotherapy, the patient performs an aerobic exercise program on a stationary bike or treadmill, followed by light strengthening exercises.

Sit-to-stand test results, 6-minute walk test distance, quality of life, results of the hospital anxiety and depression questionnaire

For randomization, a simple randomization method is used with the help of a random number table. For this purpose, two groups are named as A and B. We choose one of the rows of the random number table at will, and the numbers in each row will be between 0 and 9. We assign the numbers 0-4 to treatment A and the numbers 5-9 to treatment B.

The clinical outcome assessor will not have access to patient grouping and will remain blinded throughout the study. Patients and therapists will not be blinded.