ABSTRACT
Objective@#To evaluate the effect of six-character formula breathing exercises combined with long-term home oxygen therapy in the rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).@*Methods@#A total of 200 COPD patients in Shanghai First People′s Hospital were divided into control group and observation group by odd and even numbers with 100 cases each. The patients in control group received routine long-term home oxygen therapy and the patients in observation group received six-character formula breathing exercises as an adjunct to long-term home oxygen therapy. The patients completed the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) score at 1 month, 3 months and 9 months respectively. At 6 months and 12 months, the patients completed the mMRC score, the frequency of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), the number of re-admissions, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (PaCO2) and St. George′s Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores. At 12 months, the patients were evaluated for the six-minute walking test.@*Results@#The duration of oxygen in observation group was (6.3 ± 1.7) h/d, was shorter than control group (7.5 ± 2.1) h/d (t=2.040, P=0.043). The frequency of AECOPD in observation group at 12 months was (3.12 ± 0.49) times/case, was lower than control group (4.95±0.65) times/case (t= 22.482, P <0.01). The frequency of re-admission in observation group was (1.09 ± 0.41) times/case, was lower than control group (1.22 ± 0.39) times/case (t= 2.215, P=0.028). The mMRC scores in observation group at 3 months and 9 months was (2.733±0.750), (2.749 ± 0.938), was lower than control group (3.186 ± 0.734), (3.197 ± 0.848) (t=4.317, 3.543, P<0.01). The SGRQ scores in observation group at 6 months and 12 months was (54.678 ± 9.318), (56.656 ± 7.294), was lower than control group (61.603 ± 8.989), (63.006 ± 7.387) (t=5.349, 6.117, P<0.01). PaCO2 in observation group at 12 months was (6.422 ± 0.864) kPa, was better than control group (6.856 ± 0.904) kPa (t=3.471, P=0.01). The walking distance of 6 minutes in observation group was (265.483 ± 19.277) meters, was longer than control group (232.966 ± 18.883) meters (t= 12.050, P < 0.01).@*Conclusions@#Six-character formula breathing exercises assisted with long-term home oxygen therapy can reduce the use of oxygen, reduce the frequency of AECOPD and readmission, improve the symptoms of COPD patients, and delay the pathological process of COPD.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effect of six-character formula breathing exercises combined with long-term home oxygen therapy in the rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A total of 200 COPD patients in Shanghai First People′s Hospital were divided into control group and observation group by odd and even numbers with 100 cases each. The patients in control group received routine long-term home oxygen therapy and the patients in observation group received six-character formula breathing exercises as an adjunct to long-term home oxygen therapy. The patients completed the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) score at 1 month, 3 months and 9 months respectively. At 6 months and 12 months, the patients completed the mMRC score, the frequency of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), the number of re-admissions, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (PaCO2) and St. George′s Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores. At 12 months, the patients were evaluated for the six-minute walking test. Results The duration of oxygen in observation group was (6.3 ± 1.7) h/d, was shorter than control group (7.5 ± 2.1) h/d (t =2.040, P =0.043). The frequency of AECOPD in observation group at 12 months was (3.12 ± 0.49) times/case, was lower than control group (4.95±0.65) times/case (t=22.482, P<0.01). The frequency of re-admission in observation group was (1.09 ± 0.41) times/case, was lower than control group (1.22 ± 0.39) times/case (t=2.215, P=0.028). The mMRC scores in observation group at 3 months and 9 months was (2.733±0.750), (2.749 ± 0.938), was lower than control group (3.186 ± 0.734), (3.197 ± 0.848) (t=4.317, 3.543, P<0.01). The SGRQ scores in observation group at 6 months and 12 months was (54.678 ± 9.318), (56.656 ± 7.294) , was lower than control group (61.603 ± 8.989), (63.006 ± 7.387) (t=5.349, 6.117, P<0.01). PaCO2 in observation group at 12 months was (6.422 ± 0.864) kPa, was better than control group (6.856 ± 0.904) kPa (t=3.471, P=0.01). The walking distance of 6 minutes in observation group was (265.483 ± 19.277) meters, was longer than control group (232.966 ± 18.883) meters (t = 12.050, P <0.01). Conclusions Six-character formula breathing exercises assisted with long-term home oxygen therapy can reduce the use of oxygen, reduce the frequency of AECOPD and readmission, improve the symptoms of COPD patients, and delay the pathological process of COPD.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: From November 2006, The national health insurance system in the Republic of Korea began to cover prescribed long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) in patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency. This study examined the current status of LTOT after national health insurance coverage. METHODS: Between November 1, 2006 and June 30, 2008, the medical records of patients who were prescribed LTOT by chest physicians were reviewed. The data was collected from 13 university hospitals. RESULTS: 197 patients (131 male and 66 female) were prescribed LTOT. The mean age was 64.3+/-13.0 years. The most common underlying disease was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n=103, 52.3%). Chest physicians prescribed LTOT using arterial blood gas analysis or a pulse oxymeter (74.6%), symptoms (14%), or a pulmonary function test (11.2%). The mean oxygen flow rate was 1.56+/-0.68 L/min at rest, 2.08+/-0.91 L/min during exercise or 1.51+/-0.75 L/min during sleep. Most patients (98.3%) used oxygen concentrators. Only 19% of patients used ambulatory oxygen supplies. The oxygen saturation before and after LTOT was 83.18+/-10.48% and 91.64+/-7.1%, respectively. After LTOT, dyspnea improved in 81.2% of patients. The mean duration of LTOT was 16.85+/-6.71 hours/day. The rental cost for the oxygen concentrator and related electricity charges were 48,414+/-15,618 won/month and 40,352+/-36,815 won/month, respectively. Approximately 75% of patients had a regular visit by the company. 5.8% of patients had personal pulse oxymetry. 54.9% of patients had their oxygen saturation checked on each visit hospital. 8% of patients were current smokers. The most common complaint with LTOT was the limitation of daily activity (53%). The most common complaint with oxygen concentrators was noise (41%). CONCLUSION: The patients showed good compliance with LTOT. However, only a few patients used an ambulatory oxygen device or had their oxygen saturation measured.