Article

OBJECTIVES: To describe within-subject effects of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR)
on balance in persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to
determine whether any observed changes in balance were associated with change in
exercise tolerance or health-related quality of life. DESIGN: Single-arm
longitudinal study. SETTING: Inpatient PR center. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects with
COPD (N=29; mean +/- SD age, 69.8+/-10.3y; forced expiratory volume in 1 second,
46.3%+/-22.3% predicted; 59% men [n=17]). INTERVENTIONS: A standardized 6-week
multidisciplinary PR program (exercise training, breathing exercises, education,
and psychologic support). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Balance was assessed using the
Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and the Activities-Specific
Balance Confidence (ABC) scale. Exercise tolerance was determined from the
6-minute walk test (6MWT), and health-related quality of life from the Chronic
Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ). RESULTS: Subjects showed small improvements in
BBS (2.8+/-2.8 points; P<.001) and TUG (-1.5+/-2.4s; P=.003) scores, but not in
ABC scores (4.8+/-15.4 points; P>.05). There was a weak relationship between
change in BBS and change in CRQ scores (r=.40; P=.045) and no relationship with
change in 6MWT. CONCLUSIONS: PR contributed to minor improvements in balance and
had no effect on balance confidence in subjects with COPD. Further work is
warranted to determine the optimal intervention for improving balance in this
population.

Langue : ANGLAIS