Low-intensity Rehab Boosts COPD Patients Health

For patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a long-term, once-weekly, low-intensity physiotherapist-led pulmonary rehabilitation program can lead to clinically significant improvements in physical capabilities and health-related quality of life. The authors of this multicenter prospective randomized trial discuss how this kind of program can influence the overall amount of home training and long-term adherence, and the advantages of offering training sites in the patients’ neighborhoods.

RESULT: Low intensity, long-term outpatient rehabilitation in COPD: a randomized controlled trial
Respiratory Research | Sep 27, 2012 (FREE FULL TEXT)   



It may be beneficial for COPD patients to add in a high dose of vitamin D during exercise training. This post-hoc subgroup analysis of a double-blind trial found that about 3,300 IU per day of vitamin D significantly improved COPD patients’ inspiratory muscle strength and peak exercise tolerance. The authors point out that a dedicated clinical trial is needed to validate this proposal.


RESULT:Vitamin D supplementation during rehabilitation in COPD: a secondary analysis of a randomized trial
Respiratory Research | Sep 25, 2012 (FREE FULL TEXT)