Long-term efficacy of intensive cycle ergometer exercise training program for advanced COPD patients

Figures & data

Table 1 Baseline characteristics of subjects in the SET and the control group

Characteristics	Total patients (n=41)		P-value
	SET (n=27)	Control (n=14)
Sex M/F, n (%)	12:15 (44.4:55.6)	7:7 (50.0:55.0)	0.735
Age (years)	71.9±6.4	72.0±7.9	0.858
Smoking (pack-years)	36.5±23.4	32.8±20.3	0.923
BMI (kg/m^2)	19.3±4.3	20.3±3.8	0.316
Exacerbations in 12 months before trial (n)	2.1±1.7	3.6±1.7	0.649
COPD admissions in 12 months before trial (n)	1.9±1.1	2.4±1.1	0.439
FEV1 (% predicted)	40.1±12.8	44.2±16.7	0.573
FEV1/FVC (%)	55.2±14.3	54.2±10.8	0.869
COPD GOLD Stage III–IV	18 (66.7)	8 (57.1)	0.511
SaO2 (%)	92.7±4.9	91.7±5.6	0.330
PaO2 (mmHg)	71.4±14.4	67.2±10.8	0.328
Hct (%)	46.2±6.4	44.3±9.0	0.606
6-MWD (m)	227.1±86.4	231.1±114.8	0.880
SGRQ score	55.5±21.0	61.4±10.8	0.752
mMRC score	2.4±1.2	2.2±0.8	0.518
BDI score	5.1±2.8	4.5±2.2	0.739
MIP (cmH2O)	47.8±24.6	49.9±23.8	0.967
Upper limb strength (Watt)	49.3±23.6	53.2±24.8	0.489
Lower limb strength (Watt)	55.3±27.0	58.8±19.0	0.619
Inhaled medications n (%)
LAAC	8 (29.6)	4 (28.6)	0.864
ICS + LABA	4 (14.8)	3 (21.4)
ICS + LABA + LAAC	15 (55.6)	7 (50.0)

Note: Data are n (%) or mean ± standard deviation.

Abbreviations: SET, Suandok exercise training; M, male; F, female; BMI, body mass index; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; FEV₁ (% predicted), percentage predicted of forced expiratory volume in first second; FEV₁/FVC, ratio of FEV₁ to FVC; FVC, forced vital capacity; GOLD, Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease; SaO₂, oxygen saturation; PaO₂, partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood; Hct, hematocrits; 6-MWD, 6-minute walk distance; SGRQ, St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire; mMRC, modified Medical Research Council; BDI, baseline dyspnea index; MIP, maximal inspiratory pressure; LAAC, long-acting anticholinergics; ICS, inhaled corticosteroids; LABA, long-acting beta2-agonists.

Figure 1 Flow-chart showing participation throughout the study.

Abbreviations: Pre disc, prediscontinuation; SET, Suandok exercise training; mo, months; F/U, follow-up.

Figure 2 Change from baseline over 24 months in muscle strength.

Notes: (A) Change from baseline over 24 months in upper limb muscle strength. (B) Change from baseline over 24 months in lower limb muscle strength. (C) Change from baseline over 24 months in respiratory muscle strength. Values and error bars represent the mean ± standard error. Within-group change from baseline; *P<0.05. Comparison between patients with SET and control groups; ^#P<0.05.
Abbreviations: MIP, maximum inspiratory pressure; SET, Suandok exercise training.

Figure 3 Change from baseline over 24 months in exercise capacities.

Notes: (A) Change from baseline over 24 months in 6-MWD. (B) Change from baseline over 12 months in endurance time. Values and error bars represent the mean ± standard error. Within-group change from baseline in 6-MWD. Within-group change from baseline in endurance time; *P<0.05. Comparison between patients with SET and control groups; ^#P<0.05.
Abbreviations: 6-MWD, 6-minute walk distance; SET, Suandok exercise training; MCID, minimal clinically important difference.

Figure 4 Effect on breathlessness.

Notes: (A) Change from baseline over 24 months in mMRC score. (B) Change from baseline over 24 months in TDI score. Values and error bars represent the mean ± standard error. Within-group change from baseline in TDI; *MCID +1 unit. Comparison between patients with SET and control groups; ^#P<0.05.
Abbreviations: mMRC, modified Medical Research Council; TDI, transitional dyspnea index; SET, Suandok exercise training; MCID, minimal clinically important difference; BDI, baseline dyspnea index.

Figure 5 Effect on HRQoL.

Notes: Change from baseline over 24 months in SGRQ score. Values and error bars represent the mean ± standard error. Within-group change from baseline; *MCID −4 unit. Comparison between patients with SET and control groups; ^#P<0.05.
Abbreviations: HRQoL, health-related quality of life; SGRQ, St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire; SET, Suandok exercise training; MCID, minimal clinically important difference.

Figure 6 Kaplan–Meier survival curves for patients in SET and control groups during 2 years of follow-up.

Abbreviation: SET, Suandok exercise training.