Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program for Elderly Persons Recovered from COVID-19 to Restore Normal Pulmonary Function and Quality of Life

Background: The modified Medical Research Council scale (mMRC) is a standardized measure of the effect of dyspnea on the activities of the daily life of patients suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to determine the differences in the quality of life, tolerance to effort and symptoms among patients with COPD with lower (mMRC 0-1) and greater symptoms (mMRC ≥2). Methods: Cross-sectional study that included patients admitted to a pulmonary rehabilitation program and who were classified into 2 groups: a group containing the less symptomatic patients and another group with the more symptomatic ones. We collected these patients’ sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric, anxiety, depression and quality of life (SGRQ) data. Likewise, the subjects performed the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Finally, we measured the multidimensional BODE index score. Results: 130 subjects were included, 35 presenting an mMRC of 0 to1 and 95 having an mMRC ≥ 2, with an age of 70.87 ± 9.45 years old. The 6MWT distance, the VO2e, the total score of SGRQ, and its domains of activities and impact showed significant differences between the groups (p <0.05). Significant correlations were found in the group presenting an mMRC of 0-1 between the mMRC and the FEV1 (p = 0.028), and in the group with an mMRC ≥2 for the FVC (p = 0.031), the 6MWT distance (p = 0.000), the VO2e (p = 0.010) and the BODE index (p = 0.000). Conclusion: Patients with an mMRC of 0 to1 had better results in the 6MWT, the VO2e and the SGRQ in comparison with the most symptomatic ones.

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Impact of pulmonary rehabilitation on quality of life and functional capacity in patients on waiting lists for lung transplantation

Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia ◽

10.1590/s1806-37132013000300012 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 39 (3) ◽

pp. 349-356 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Juliessa Florian ◽

Adalberto Rubin ◽

Rita Mattiello ◽

Fabricio Farias da Fontoura ◽

Jose de Jesus Peixoto Camargo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Pulmonary Rehabilitation ◽

Lung Transplant ◽

Waiting Lists ◽

Rehabilitation Program ◽

Sf 36 ◽

The Mean ◽

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program ◽

Minute Walk

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of a pulmonary rehabilitation program on the functional capacity and on the quality of life of patients on waiting lists for lung transplantation. METHODS: Patients on lung transplant waiting lists were referred to a pulmonary rehabilitation program consisting of 36 sessions. Before and after the program, participating patients were evaluated with the six-minute walk test and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). The pulmonary rehabilitation program involved muscle strengthening exercises, aerobic training, clinical evaluation, psychiatric evaluation, nutritional counseling, social assistance, and educational lectures. RESULTS: Of the 112 patients initially referred to the program, 58 completed it. The mean age of the participants was 46 ± 14 years, and females accounted for 52%. Of those 58 patients, 37 (47%) had pulmonary fibrosis, 13 (22%) had pulmonary emphysema, and 18 (31%) had other types of advanced lung disease. The six-minute walk distance was significantly greater after the program than before (439 ± 114 m vs. 367 ± 136 m, p = 0.001), the mean increase being 72 m. There were significant point increases in the scores on the following SF-36 domains: physical functioning, up 22 (p = 0.001), role-physical, up 10 (p = 0.045); vitality, up 10 (p < 0.001); social functioning, up 15 (p = 0.001); and mental health, up 8 (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary rehabilitation had a positive impact on exercise capacity and quality of life in patients on lung transplant waiting lists.

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