COPD is characterized not only by pulmonary pathology but also by systemic disorders leading to abrupt reduction in physical tolerance causing a significant decrease in the patients' quality of life (QoL). Training of upper and lower limb muscles along with breathing training, training of respiratory muscles using respiratory training devices and adequate drug therapy can improve physical tolerance of COPD patients. The aim of this work was to compare different methods of physical rehabilitation under the therapy with tiotropium bromide (TB). The study involved 45 patients with severe and very severe COPD (the mean age, 64.5 ±11.0 yrs) randomized into 3 groups: the 1st group patients took inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), short-acting b-agonists and TB, the 2nd group patients were treated with the same medications plus respiratory muscle training with Threshold IMT, PEP, and the 3rd group received the same medications plus skeletal muscle training. The study continued for 3 months and included 3 active visits with testing of lung function (LF) and respiratory muscle strength (Pi, Pe), 6-minute walking test (6-MWT), evaluation of QoL using the SF-36 questionnaire and of dyspnea using MRC scale. As a result, all groups have improved QoL, LF, respiratory muscle strength, and 6-minute walk distance after 3-month treatment. The best values of QoL and 6-MWT were seen in the 3rd group. The greatest improvement for the 2nd group patients was noted in LF and respiratory muscle strength. The 1st group also improved all the parameters. Therefore, we can not exclude the effect of TB on physical tolerance in COPD patients. We conclude that combined application of respiratory and skeletal muscle training and drug therapy including TB is the optimal treatment for COPD patients.
The effects of respiratory muscle training on improvement of the internal and external thoraco-pulmonary respiratory mechanism in COPD patients
