Effects of elastic tape during pulmonary rehabilitation in moderate to very severe COPD: An RCT

<bold>Background:</bold> Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) reduces exercise capacity, impairs health-related quality of life, and induces greater dyspnea that is improved with Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR). Elastic Tape (ET) is a novel intervention that improves ventilatory efficiency during exertion; however, its effect in the response of PR remains unknown. <bold>Aim:</bold> To evaluate the effect of ET on physical exercise capacity, anxiety and depression symptoms, and health status outcomes in subjects with COPD undergoing PR. <bold>Methods:</bold> Individuals with moderate to very severe COPD were randomized into the ET (ET) or Sham (SH, micropore) groups. ET or micropore were fixed to the chest wall and abdomen, changed weekly, and kept during rehabilitation and daily life. Before and after PR, physical capacity (Endurance Shuttle Walking Test - ESWT), health status (CAT), and anxiety and depression symptoms (HADS) were assessed. The PR was performed 2x/wk for 8wk. <bold>Results:</bold> Twenty-three COPD were included (ET,n=12 and SH, n=11). After PR, ET and SH improved above the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in ESWT (174 sec), (ET 403±398 vs. SH 361±335 sec). However, the ET but not the SH reached the CAT MCID (−2 score) (−4.5±8.3 vs. -1,9±4.5). In addition, the ET but not the SH improved MCID in the HADS for anxiety (−1.3 score) and depression (−1.5 score) after PR (−1.8±2.7 vs. −0.3±2.9 and -1.5±2.9 vs. 1.5±2.2, respectively). Despite the improvements in the MCID, no between-group difference was observed. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> The use of ET during PR, improves the effects of PR on health status and contributes to the reduction of anxiety and depression symptoms of subjects with moderate to severe COPD.