Effects of an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program on quality of life and physical performance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Abstract

Seventeen patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) participated in an outpatient rehabilitation program twice a week for 8 or 12 weeks (Group I and Group II, respectively). Health Related Quality of life (HQL) and mood were assessed by the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRDQ) and the Mood Adjective Check List (MACL) before, one month, and six months after the program. Exercise tolerance was tested before and after the program by a maximal cycle test, a six-minute walking test (6MW) and a submaximal cycle test (only Group II). During the submaximal cycle test, heart rate, lactate level, breathlessness and leg fatigue were measured. HQL significantly improved immediately after the pulmonary rehabilitation program and six months after the completion of the program. There was a significant improvement in mood one month after the program. The maximal workload and the six-minute walking test were significantly greater after the program. Heart rate and lactate level at peak exercise and breathlessness and leg fatigue were significantly after the program. Correlation analysis found a significant relationship between the 6MW and emotional function in the CRDQ (r = 0.54). An outpatient rehabilitation program improved quality of life, mood, exercise tolerance, lactate level, and symptoms of patients with COPD.