Effectiveness of Pulmonary Rehabilitation with Exercise Training in Improving Health Outcomes for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Even though pulmonary rehabilitation is supposed to be crucial to managing patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, health outcomes are still not at their best. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation with exercise training in improving health outcomes for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods: A quasi-experimental research design (one-group pre/post-test) was consumed. Setting: this study was applied in the Chest department at the Specialized Medical Building and outpatient clinic: Mansoura University Hospital, which provides services for chest disease patients including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Tools: Six tools were utilized 1) A structured interview questionnaire; 2) a six-minute walk scale; 3) a Borg scale; 4) Exercise self-efficacy; 5) a London chest activity of daily living scale; and 6) a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test scale. Results: There was a highly significant improvement in pulmonary function (0.0001), a six- minute walk scale (m) (0.0001) and an increase in daily step count. The severity of dyspnea significantly decreased (0.0001) with significant improvement in Exercise self-efficacy (0.004) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Assessment Test (0.05). Furthermore, there is a significant correlation between Activity of Daily Living with Level of Dyspnea (0.001) and functional status (0.01). Conclusions: The current study highlighted sufficient evidence that pulmonary rehabilitation with exercise training was effective in optimizing management and general health outcomes among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. It is recommended to use Pulmonary Rehabilitation with Exercise Training as a routine part of care for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease as a routine part of care.