Use the Back button in your browser to see the other results of your search or to select another record.

Detailed Search Results

Potential effect of 6 versus 12-weeks of physical training on cardiac autonomic function and exercise capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [with consumer summary]
Borghi-Silva A, Mendes RG, Trimer R, Oliveira CR, Fregonezi GAF, Resqueti VR, Arena R, Sampaio-Jorge LMM, Costa D
European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 2015 Apr;51(2):211-221
clinical trial
5/10 [Eligibility criteria: No; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: Yes; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: No; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

BACKGROUND: Exercise is an important part of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment. However, it is not know about the minimum effective time of physical training that could beneficially modify the cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) and exercise capacity in these patients. AIM: To contrast the potential effects of a physical training program (PTP), for 6 versus 12 weeks, on CAM by linear and nonlinear heart rate variability (HRV) indices and exercise capacity in COPD patients. DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation. POPULATION: Twenty moderate-to-severe COPD patients were randomly assigned to either a training group (n = 10) or a control group (n = 10). METHODS: HRV at rest and during submaximal test was determined by linear (rMSSD and SDNN) and non-linear indices (SD1, SD2 and sample entropy (SE)). In addition, key responses were obtained during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), the walking distance (WD) during the six minute walking test and submaximal constant speed testing (CST). PTP consisted of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise training on a treadmill, 3 times per week at 70% of CPET peak speed rate. Patients were evaluated on baseline, 6 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Significant improvements in HRV indices, WD, as well as, other physiological responses were observed after 6 weeks of the PTP and maintained until 12 weeks (p < 0.05). However, after 12 weeks, the SD1 index demonstrated an additional improvement compared with 6 weeks (p < 0.05). Peak oxygen uptake and dioxide carbon production improved only after 12 weeks (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the 6th week-baseline delta (6th week-baseline) of WD, SDNN and SE were significantly higher than 12th week minus 6th week delta (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that beneficial changes on cardiac autonomic modulation in conjunction with improvement in submaximal functional capacity occur in the first 6 weeks of PTP in moderate to severe COPD.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help