Pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with moderate or severe obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective To observe any curative effect of applying comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation in moderate and severe cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A total of 135 persons hospitalized with moderate or severe COPD were randomly divided into a rehabilitation group of 75 and a control group of 60. Both groups were given routine treatment, while the rehabilitation group was additionally provided with a comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation regimen, including health education, exercise training, respiratory function training, respiratory muscle training, psychological support and nutritional intervention for six months. Before and after the treatment, both groups were evaluated using their walking distance within 6 minutes (6MWD), an anhelation index, a COPD assessment test (CAT), the Beck anxiety and depression scale, a nutritional assessment and indexes of pulmonary function and blood gases. Results After the intervention the average 6 MWD, anhelation index, CAT score, Beck anxiety and depression scores, forced expiratory volume, forced vital capacity and PaO2 of the rehabilitation group were all significantly better than before the treatment and better than those of the control group. Conclusion For moderate and severe COPD patients, comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation effectively strengthens their moving ability, pulmonary function and arterial partial pressure of oxygen, while relieving anhelation, anxiety and depression. Key words: Pulmonary rehabilitation; Obstructive pulmonary disease; Six-minute walking distance; Life quality; Psychological health