Рhysiotherapy in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Physiotherapy is an essential for the treatment of patients with chronic respiratory non-inflammatory diseases especially for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).AIM: To assess the effect of six months physiotherapy (PT) program on functional status in patients with COPD.МАTERIAL AND METHODS: The patients were divided into two groups according to the severity of the disease. Group A included 33 patients (mean age 68.6 ± 7.3; GOLD II – III stages). Group B included 32 patients (mean age 71.7 ± 6.9; GOLD I –II). They were referred to supervised PT program performed three times weekly for a half a year. All the patients were on standard medical care. At entry and after PT, six minutes walking test (6 MWT), Borg scale and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale were assessed.RESULTS: Significant changes in 6 MWT (р < 0.001) and mMRC scale (р < 0.001) were found after applied physical therapy program in patients of group A. Exertional dyspnoea decreased significantly in patients with group A (р < 0.001). Positive changes were found in physical tolerance in the patients of group B (р < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed the positive effect of six months physiotherapy in physical tolerance and dyspnoea in patients with COPD at different stages of the disease.