Effects of Home-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation with a Metronome-Guided Walking Pace in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

• Published in: Journal of Korean medical science Vol. 28; no. 5; pp. 738 - 743
• Main Authors: Lee, Sung-soon, Kim, Changhwan, Jin, Young-Soo, Oh, Yeon-Mok, Lee, Sang-Do, Yang, Yun Jun, Park, Yong Bum
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences 01.05.2013; 대한의학회
• Subjects: Aged; Exercise; Exercise Test; Female; Home Care Services, Hospital-Based; Humans; Lung - physiopathology; Male; Middle Aged; Original; Program Evaluation; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - physiopathology; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - rehabilitation; Quality of Life; Respiratory Function Tests; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome; Walking; 의학일반; Quality of Life; Exercise Test; Rehabilitation; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
• ISSN: 1011-8934; 1598-6357; 1598-6357
• DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2013.28.5.738

Despite documented efficacy and recommendations, pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been underutilized. Home-based PR was proposed as an alternative, but there were limited data. The adequate exercise intensity was also a crucial issue. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of home-based PR with a metronome-guided walking pace on functional exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in COPD. The subjects participated in a 12-week home-based PR program. Exercise intensity was initially determined by cardiopulmonary exercise test, and was readjusted (the interval of metronome beeps was reset) according to submaximal endurance test. Six-minute walk test, pulmonary function test, cardiopulmonary exercise test, and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were done before and after the 12-week program, and at 6 months after completion of rehabilitation. Thirty-three patients participated in the program. Six-minute walking distance was significantly increased (48.8 m; P = 0.017) and the SGRQ score was also improved (-15; P < 0.001) over the six-month follow-up period after rehabilitation. There were no significant differences in pulmonary function and peak exercise parameters. We developed an effective home-based PR program with a metronome-guided walking pace for COPD patients. This rehabilitation program may improve functional exercise capacity and HRQOL.