Evaluation of the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients by different predictors: an interventional study

Abstract Background A well-known approach to treating patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), which offers specialized interventions such as exercise training, education, and behavioral changes provided by an interdisciplinary team of medical professionals. The goal of PR is to improve patients’ physical and mental health. Patients and methods This was a single-arm clinical trial conducted upon 30 COPD patients aged 59.6 ± 7.5 years old; 80% were males. Every patient was enrolled in a 12-week PR program that included 24 sessions. Breathing exercises, lower limb exercises, and upper limb exercises were all part of the regimen. Sonographic evaluation of diaphragmatic excursion and thickness, baseline spirometry, the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, and the 6-min walk test (6MWT)were all performed. Following the program, a reevaluation was conducted using the same baseline parameters. Results After the PR program, chest ultrasonography revealed a statistically significant improvement in both diaphragmatic thickness and excursion. Significant functional improvement was also demonstrated by mMRC dyspnea grades, 6MWT, and spirometry parameters such as forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, and maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF). When comparing 6MWT, a symbol of PR success, to other baseline variables, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between 6MWT and baseline respiratory function tests (FEV1, FVC, FEV1%, and MMEF tests), arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) level, and diaphragmatic excursion (DE) in both deep and quiet breathing after the implementation of the pulmonary rehabilitation program. Conclusion Pulmonary rehabilitation program in 12-week duration for patients with chronic obstructive lung disease has a great effect in improving six-minute walk distance (6MWD), dyspnea score, spirometry parameters, and diaphragmatic excursion and thickness.