Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Summary

Presented here is a protocol to investigate the effects of home-based prescribed pulmonary exercise in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, which is modified based on traditional Chinese exercises according to dyspnea and limited exercise capacity observed in COPD patients.

Abstract

As a systemic disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects the respiratory system, inducing restless and exercise dyspnea. It also impacts exercise capacity and forms a vicious circle in which it further aggravates the condition of patients and accelerates disease progression. As a functional holistic exercise, traditional Chinese exercises (TCE) play an important role in the rehabilitation of COPD on the basis of adjusting the breath and performing coordinated movements. This study investigates the effects of prescribed pulmonary exercises (which are modified from TCE) on exercise capacity of upper and lower limbs, endurance exercise capacity, and quality of life in stable COPD patients. The goal is to determine the accessibility of these prescribed exercises in COPD rehabilitation. Participants are randomly divided into a non-exercise control group (CG) or prescribed pulmonary exercise group (PG) at a ratio of 1: 1. The PG receives intervention for 60 min twice per day, 7 days a week, for a total of 3 months. The intensity is measured using the Borg category-ratio 10 scale and with a heart-rate monitor. Then, an exercise capacity test and quality of life questionnaire are scheduled at 1 week before and after the formal intervention. After 3 months of intervention, the 30 s arm curl test, 30 s sit-to-stand test, 6 min walking test, and quality of life show significant improvement in COPD patients (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that prescribed pulmonary exercises can be applied as alternative, convenient, and effective home- and community-based exercises for stable COPD patients.

Introduction

Chronic non-communicable diseases have gradually become the biggest threat to global health, accounting for 70% of global mortality. A majority of such deaths have been caused by four main diseases, while COPD ranks third and only falls behind cardiovascular disease and cancer. Moreover, the ranking of COPD in leading to years of life lost has risen from eleventh in 2007 to seventh in 2017¹. This change indicates unsatisfactory effects of current treatments in the rehabilitation of COPD progression. More studies have recognized that COPD is not only a respiratory disease but also a complex, multi-systemic, and multi-complicative condition^2,3. COPD complications (i.e., skeletal muscle dysfunction) exist in all stages of the disease and play an important role in progression and prognosis⁴. Considering interactions between the respiratory symptoms and exercise capacity, rehabilitation of exercise capacity has received a lot of attention.

Pulmonary rehabilitation as a comprehensive intervention program, including but not limited to exercise training, health education, and self-management, has demonstrated effectiveness on physical and psychological condition of COPD patients⁵. Among the different types of exercise training, aerobic exercise plays a critical role in the improvement of endurance performance and muscle power⁶. In contrast, resistance exercise shows advantages in the improvement of muscle strength and functional exercise capacity⁷. Moreover, the interventional mechanisms of these two exercise types are distinct. Compared to resistance exercise, aerobic exercise is more effective in modulating inflammatory cytokine levels and inducing oxidized phenotypes of the quadriceps^8,9.

Although the effects of these two conventional exercises in pulmonary rehabilitation has been demonstrated, regardless of the location (in hospital or at home)^10,11, implementation of conventional exercise training is still limited due to the requirements of specific equipment, spacious room, and safety monitoring. These constraints not only inflict a burden on a patient’s family but also to the healthcare system. Alternative interventions such as neuromuscular electrical stimulation and whole-body vibration training share the same constraints^12,13.

Traditional Chinese exercises (TCE), including tai chi, liu zi jue, wu qin xi, ba duan jin, and yi jin jing, belong to the self-exercise category, which focuses on adjustment of the breath accompanied with coordinated movement. These exercises also rely on psychological-physiological-morphological mechanisms to achieve health-related fitness. Previous studies have shown that 1) TCE as a low-and medium-intensity aerobic exercise induces a maximum heart rate of 43%–49%¹⁴, 2) exercise intensity ranges from 1.5 to 2.6 metabolic equivalents of energy (METs)¹⁵, and 3) it exerts positive effects in patients with stable COPD through clinical and family rehabilitation^16,17,18,19. Compared to conventional exercise training, the advantage of TCE is that it is easy to execute at home without any equipment or spatial constraints.

As a modified TCE, the prescribed pulmonary exercise described in this protocol has been developed from the theory of traditional Chinese medicine and aims at the rehabilitation of COPD dyspnea and exercise capacity. Previous studies have showed significant improvements in the exercise capacity (assessed by 6 min walking test, 6MWT), daily life (Zhongshan COPD questionnaire for quality of life), and systemic inflammation levels in COPD patients after prescribed pulmonary exercise²⁰. However, the effects of prescribed pulmonary exercise on the exercise capacity of upper and lower limbs and quality of life in COPD patients is still unclear.

This study compares 3 months of usual medicinal treatment without exercise intervention (control group, CG) vs. 3 months of prescribed pulmonary exercise intervention (PG) in stable COPD patients to investigate the effects of prescribed pulmonary exercise. The effects on upper limb exercise capacity are evaluated by the 30 s arm curl test, effects on lower limb exercise capacity evaluated by the 30 s sit-to-stand test (30 s SST), effects on endurance exercise capacity evaluated by the 6 min walking test (6MWT), and effects on quality of life evaluated by St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ).

Protocol

The protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine affiliated with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Shanghai, China).

1. Video construction and study design

1. Construct a video of the prescribed pulmonary exercise. Our video was based on the TCE video issued by the General Administration of Sport of China.
   1. In the video, have a member of the research team in a spacious place display and give a general introduction to the different characteristics of the prescribed pulmonary exercises.
   2. Have the member simulate the exercises in different dimensions to clarify these characteristics.
      NOTE: The video used here is in Chinese. The person in the video is of normal weight and is a middle-aged female in good physical shape, from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The video structure and contents can be seen in Figure 1.
2. Use a parallel-designed single-blind randomized controlled trial to determine the effect of prescribed pulmonary exercise on COPD patients.
   1. Obtain written, informed consent and collect basic characteristics including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), duration, and disease grade from recruited participants.
   2. Randomize the divided participants into two groups at a 1:1 ratio according to a random number table.
      NOTE: Random numbers should be generated using a computer and enclosed in an opaque envelope by an independent individual who does not participate to achieve allocation concealment.

2. Power calculation

1. Conduct a power analysis using analysis software of choice to determine the minimal sample size necessary to obtain statistical results.
   1. Choose an appropriate statistical test according to the study design.
   2. Select an assumed mean difference of the changes in quality of life after 3 months of intervention of prescribed pulmonary disease. This can be based on any previous work that may have been done.
   3. Select an assumed standard deviation (SD), as well as an appropriate alpha and power value.
2. Using a previous study as a reference (if possible) and considering the study design, define an assumed drop-out rate.
   NOTE: The power analysis of this study was based on an independent t-test assuming equal variance. Based on the minimal clinical important difference of the total SGRQ and item scores²¹, the assumed mean difference was set at 4 scores, and the assumed SD in both groups was set at 3.6 scores according to previous studies¹⁷. The two-side significance level was set at an alpha-level of 0.05, and a power of 0.8. Results of the power calculation revealed that a total of 28 participants were needed (14/group). Considering a drop-out rate of about 15%, we planned to recruit 34 participants (17/group) (Figure 2).

3. Participant recruitment

NOTE: Participant recruitment in this example was conducted in the Department of Respiratory, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

1. Recruit patients with stable COPD between the ages of 40 and 80.
   NOTE: The COPD diagnosis was based on the guidelines of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) (forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) < 0.7, FEV1 < 80% the predicted value)⁵.
2. Exclude participants who have regularly exercised in the past 6 months (>2x per week for >60 min each). Also, exclude participants in acute exacerbation as well as those that have serious cardiovascular diseases or musculoskeletal disorders that could affect exercise intervention and testing programs.
3. Ask participants for written consent after informing them about possible discomfort and risks during the training sessions and testing. The possible discomfort and risks include but are not limited to sourness of muscle, dizzy, dyspnea, and falling.

4. Training

1. Give training instructions 3x within 2 weeks to PG participants before the formal training session. Ask participants to study the complete action and breathing requirements of each intervention.
2. Deliver the video of the prescribed pulmonary exercises and the exercise record brochure to all participants.
3. Instruct PG participants to perform the prescribed pulmonary exercises in accordance with the intervention program (60 min each, 2x per day, 7 days a week, for a total of 3 months).
   NOTE: On Sunday afternoons, ask participants to gather in the hospital to perform exercises under the supervision and instruction of physiotherapists, and for the remaining 6 days to perform exercises at home.
   1. Instruct PG participants to perform a warm-up exercise for 10 min, mainly focusing on dynamic flexibility exercises of involved muscle groups and stretching muscles.
   2. Instruct PG participants to perform prescribed pulmonary exercises for 40 min, which is composed of six characteristics including the “hu” and “si” sounds in liu zi jue, “pushing up the sky to regulate the triple warmer” and “drawing a bow to shoot a vulture” in ba duan jin, “the crane actions” in wu qin xi, and “cross-armed iron staff” in yi jin jing²².
      NOTE: Evaluate the exercise intensity using the Borg category-ratio 10 (Borg CR-10) and ask participants to maintain a level of dyspnea in the range of 4 to 6²³. In the hospital, the Borg CR-10 and heart rate monitor (Polar team2) are both used to evaluate exercise intensity.
   3. Instruct PG participants to perform a cool-down exercise for 10 min, mainly focusing on stretching and relaxing the muscles.
4. Ask participants to record detailed information after each exercise session in the exercise record brochure, including details about exercise method, time, duration, intensity, and site.

5. Outcome assessment

NOTE: Conduct an assessment session within 7 days before and after the formal intervention.

1. Assessment of height, weight, and body composition
   1. Ask participants to remove all items and metal objects from their clothing and bodies.
   2. Ask participants to stand barefoot on the corresponding positions of the electrode pads with their back to the instrument column. Wait briefly for the apparatus to automatically print data including height, weight, body fat, and BMI.
2. Six minutes walking test (6MWT)
   1. Perform the 6MWT in accordance with the technical standard described by European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society (ERS/ATS)²⁴.
   2. Explain the test procedure and inform participants that temporary rest is available when discomfort or exhaustion arises. Encourage participants to walk as fast as they can during the 6 min duration.
   3. Prior to the test, inquire participants about their levels of dyspnea using the Borg CR10.
   4. Ask participants to walk back and forth as quickly as possible in a marked, 30 m straight line. Standardized phrases of encouragement are used for each minute.
   5. After 6 min, ask participants to stand stationary, then record their distance in meters and levels of dyspnea.
   6. After a 30 min rest, instruct participants to perform the test a second time.
3. 30 seconds arm curl test
   NOTE: The 30 s arm curl test was carried out according to the senior fitness test manual²⁵.
   1. Explain and demonstrate the test procedure and inform participants that the test should be performed as quickly as possible during a 30 s duration.
      NOTE: The test is initiated from the down position to the arm curl position, and the wrist should not move during the motion.
   2. Ask participants to sit on a 43 cm tall straight-back armless chair with their backs upright and feet flat on the ground.
   3. Ask participants to perform the arm curl motion 1–2x to familiarize.
   4. Ask participants to hold the dumbbells (8 lbs for men, 5 lbs for women) using the dominant hand.
   5. On the signal “go”, instruct participants to curl the weight through a full range of motion as many times as possible in 30 s. A researcher should stand to the side to time and record the results.
4. 30 seconds sit-to-stand test
   NOTE: The 30 s SST was performed according to the senior fitness test manual²⁵.
   1. Place a chair with the backrest leaning against a wall.
   2. Explain and demonstrate the test procedure and inform participants that the test should be performed as quickly as possible in 30 s.
      NOTE: The test is initiated from a seating position, with feet separated and knee flexed at about 90°.
   3. Ask participants to sit in the middle of the chair with back straight, arms crossed on the chest and placed on the opposite shoulder.
   4. Ask participants to perform the sitting up motion 1–2x to familiarize.
   5. On the signal “go”, instruct participants to stand up and sit down as many times as possible in 30 s. A researcher should stand to the side to time and record the results.
      NOTE: If participants conduct more than half of the motion at the end of the 30 s duration, this counts as a full motion.
5. Questionnaire for quality of life
   1. Ask participants to complete the SGRQ to assess quality of life. The SGRQ consists of three subdomains including symptoms (cough, cough, asthma attacks, etc.), activity (climbing, dressing, housework, etc.), and impact (anxiety, pain, insecurity, etc.)^26,27.
   2. Calculate final SGRQ scores (total and sub-domains) per previous protocols, using analysis software of choice^26,27.
      NOTE: Participants who display deficiency of knowledge or defects in vision should complete the questionnaire with the help of staff.

6. Statistical analysis

1. Carry out statistical analysis using software of choice.
2. Conduct normality and variance homogeneity tests for continuous data.
3. Conduct two paired t-tests or a Wilcoxon rank-sum test to analyze differences within the group according to data normality and variance.
4. Calculate the changes after 3 months of intervention as post-values minus pre-values.
5. Conduct an independent t-test or Mann-Whitney U test to analyze differences between the group according to change-value normality and variance.
6. Conduct a chi-squared (χ²) test for category data.
   NOTE: Conduct a two-sided test and use p < 0.05 as the significance cut-off value.

Results

The protocol above describes a randomized controlled trial to investigate whether prescribed pulmonary exercise improves exercise capacity and quality of life in stable COPD patients. While 44 participants were recruited, only 37 (84%) participants completed the study (CG = 19, PG = 18). Thus, data analysis was carried out using the 37 participants, and the two groups showed no significant differences in basic characteristics including age, sex, BMI, duration, and disease grade (Table 1).

Discussion

In this study, a modified TCE referred to as prescribed pulmonary exercise is used in an intervention program, and a number of fitness tests are used to investigate the effects of home-based prescribed pulmonary exercise on exercise capacity and quality of life in stable COPD patients. The main finding is that many improvements occurred in upper and lower limb exercise capacity, endurance exercise capacity, and quality of life after 3 months of intervention. The results indicate that prescribed pulmonary exercise as a CO...

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
4643a	Tanita		Used for the evaluation of height, weight, and body mass index
Borg CR10	None		Used for the evaluation of dyapnea
PASS 15.0	NCSS, LLC		Used for power calculation
Polar team 2	Polar		Used for supervising the heart rate of participants
SGRQ software	Developed by Peking Union Medical College		Used for calculating the score of quality of life
SPSS 24.0	IBM Corporation		Used for statistical analysis