OBJECTIVE: This pilot study investigated whether a home exercise video programme could improve exercise tolerance and breathlessness in patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: Twenty subjects completed the study after being randomized to intervention or control. The intervention group (n = 10), watched a 19-min video on the benefits of exercise for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and were given a 30-min exercise video, an illustrated exercise diary and an educational booklet about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, for use at home. They were advised to follow the exercise video programme 4 times a week for 6 weeks. The control group (n = 10) received the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease educational booklet only. Exercise tolerance was measured using the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test and breathlessness by the self-reported Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire. RESULTS: The median change in the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test and breathlessness score significantly improved in the intervention group compared with the control (+45 m versus -15 m, p = 0.013 and +0.5 versus -0.1 Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire units, p = 0.042). The other findings for the self-reported Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire showed significant improvements in the intervention group for emotion (p < 0.001) and fatigue (p = 0.012), but not mastery (p = 0.253). CONCLUSION: This pilot study suggests that participation in a home exercise video programme may benefit people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

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