ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the effect of water-based pulmonary rehabilitation on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods:From February, 2020 to February, 2021, 50 patients with stable COPD in our hospital were divided into control group (n = 25) and experimental group (n = 25), who accepted pulmonary rehabilitation training on land and in water, for eight weeks. They were measured forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1), percents of forced expiratory volume in first second for prediction (FEVl%) and ratio of forced expiratory volume in first second in forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) with pulmonary function instrument; measured root mean square (RMS) of electromyogram of diaphragm and right transversus abdominis with surface electromyography; and assessed with modified breathlessness measurement of British Medical Research Council (mMRC), 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and quality of life scale for COPD adults (COPD-QOL) before and after treatment. Results:FEV1, FEVl%, FEV1/FVC, RMS of diaphragm and transversus abdominis, and 6MWT distance and COPD-QOL score increased in both group (t > 2.08, P < 0.05), and increased more in the experimental group than in the control group (t > 2.27, P < 0.05); while mMRC score decreased (t > 2.09, P < 0.05), and decreased more in the experimental group than in the control group (t = 2.13, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Water-based pulmonary rehabilitation training can further improve lung function, strength of respiratory muscles, dyspnea, tolerance and quality of life for patients with COPD.