Peripheral muscle training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: novel approaches and recent advances

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Pulmonary rehabilitation is one of the most effective non-pharmacological management options for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Exercise training is the cornerstone of pulmonary rehabilitation, however considerable variability exists regarding the way it is delivered across the world. It is widely accepted that efforts should be made to tailor specific therapeutic approaches to individuals’ needs. This applies as much to respiratory medicine as it does to respiratory rehabilitation.

Areas covered: This narrative review examines the emerging literature evaluating advancements of exercise training modalities targeting peripheral muscle function in people with COPD. It aims to highlight practical considerations regarding the delivery key evidence regarding clinical effectiveness, as well as highlight some of the and evaluation of their effectiveness to inform clinical practice.

Expert commentary: Although novel therapies may offer advantages over more ‘traditional’ training methods under specific circumstances, challenges regarding the potential impact upon clinical rehabilitation, the identification of the best candidates for such therapy and access to equipment may pose realistic barriers to their more widespread clinical implementation. Future directions regarding the ways in which these barriers could be overcome will be discussed, including identification of the key research priorities to optimize evidence-based practice in this area.

KEYWORDS:

• Exercise therapy
• Pulmonary disease
• chronic obstructive
• Exercise test
• Eccentric training
• rehabilitation

Acknowledgments

Dr Rainer Gloeckl, Schoen Klinik, Germany for supplying the photograph for Figure 4 and Dr Carlos A Camillo and Professor Thierry Troosters, KU Leuven, Belgium for supplying the photograph for Figure 2.

Declaration of Interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.