Evaluation of the effects of a home exercise program in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• Grant number: 10/20280-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2011
• End date: December 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Ercy Mara Cipulo Ramos
• Grantee: Juliana Rosini da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents local and systemic manifestations account for changes in respiratory and peripheral muscle and body composition. Physical exercise is considered to conduct more effective in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) are already evident and the benefits of strength training on quality of life and peripheral muscles. However the gains made after the RP, these aspects may gradually decrease with the discontinuation of treatment. The home treatment is seen as able to maintain the benefits gained through outpatient treatment, low financial cost to health services. Given the importance of PR as a therapeutic modality in COPD, there is the need to make a home treatment program to continue the treatment offered at the clinic. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a home exercise program on functional capacity, peripheral muscle strength and endurance and quality of life of patients with COPD. Will be evaluated 25 patients with COPD (FEV1 between 50 and 70% predicted) of both sexes, aged between 55 and 70 who previously participated in a pulmonary rehabilitation program supervised for a period of two months. Patients will be divided into two groups: Home Treatment (15) and Control (10). Patients will be evaluated for functional capacity, muscular strength and endurance and quality of life initially and after six months. The group home treatment will perform a home program of strength training with a frequency of three times per week, for about six months. The control group will be instructed to continue their activities unhindered. For data analysis is the statistical program Graphpad Instat ®. According to the behavior of the data distribution will apply specific statistical tests. The significance level is 5%. (AU)