Effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on fatigue, functional status and health perceptions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To test the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on fatigue, functional status and health perceptions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Design: Randomized controlled trial.Setting: Pulmonary outpatient department.Subjects: Thirty patients randomly assigned to a rehabilitation (3 men, 9 women, mean age 66 (±2) years) or a control group (10 men, 4 women, mean age 64 (±2) years).Interventions: The patients in the rehabilitation group participated in a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme comprising exercise training twice weekly, for a 12-week period, nutritional and self-care advice, and education about disease and energy conservation strategies.Main measures: Fatigue, functional limitations due to fatigue, functional performance and satisfaction, six-minute walking distance, hand grip strength and health perception were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks.Results: At baseline there were no significant differences between the groups, except for gender. The six-minute...