Effect of exercise combined with encouragement on quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of rehabilitation exercise combined with encouragement on the quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 120 inpatients with moderate or severe COPD in stable conditions were randomized equally into experimental and control groups. The patients in both groups received routine treatment for 1 year, and those in the experimental group had additional respiratory muscle and limb exercises with encouragement. The quality of life, 6-min walking distance, lung function, anxiety and depression levels were compared between the two groups before and after the treatments.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The quality of life was improved significantly in the experimental group after the treatments (P<0.01) with obviously increased 6-min walking distance and lowered levels of anxiety and depression in comparison with those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the patients in the experimental group showed also significantly improved lung functions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation training program with exercise combined with encouragement can improve the physical and emotional state, social adapt ability and the quality of life of patients with COPD.</p>