The Rehabilitation Effect of Pulmonary Function Rehabilitation Training on Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease During Hospitalization
Download PDF
$currentUrl="http://$_SERVER[HTTP_HOST]$_SERVER[REQUEST_URI]"

Keywords

Elderly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Pulmonary rehabilitation training during hospitalization
Rehabilitation effect

DOI

10.26689/jcnr.v9i6.11118

Submitted : 2025-06-08
Accepted : 2025-06-23
Published : 2025-07-08

Abstract

Objective: To explore the rehabilitation effect of pulmonary rehabilitation training in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Elderly COPD patients hospitalized from June 2024 to December 2024 were selected as subjects for a quasi-experimental study. The study randomly assigned patients into two equal groups of 50 each. One group served as the control and received standard treatment and nursing care, while the other group, the intervention group, was given additional pulmonary rehabilitation exercises alongside the conventional care. The lung function indexes [forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC], 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), Borg’s Category Scale for perceived exertion (BCSS), COPD Assessment Test (CAT), Barthel Index for activities of daily living, blood oxygen saturation, and Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) dyspnea scale were compared between the two groups before and after intervention. Results: Following the intervention, the intervention group demonstrated improved lung function compared to the control group (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) (P > 0.05). The intervention group had lower Bronchitis Severity Scale (BCSS) scores (P < 0.05) and better quality of life scores (P < 0.05) than the control group. No notable differences were found in activities of daily living scores or blood oxygen saturation (P > 0.05). Additionally, the intervention group exhibited a lower proportion of residual severe dyspnea (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Pulmonary rehabilitation can enhance respiratory function in individuals with COPD, leading to beneficial therapeutic outcomes and ultimately improving their overall quality of life.

References

Li F, Chen W, Gao M, et al., 2024, Effects of Respiratory Rehabilitation Training on Lung Function and Immune Function in Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Geriatrics & Health Care, 30(4): 998–1002.

Chen Q, Wang D, Yang X, 2023, Effects of Comprehensive Pulmonary Rehabilitation Training on Lung Function and Quality of Life in Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Journal of Clinical and Pathological Research, 43(6): 1250–1257.

Yang C, Sun X, Zhang Z, et al., 2022, Effects of Loaded Deep Breathing Rehabilitation Training on Cardiopulmonary Function and Quality of Life in Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease During Remission. Practical Geriatrics, 36(7): 715–719.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Group of Chinese Medical Association Respiratory Disease Branch, Working Committee of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease of Chinese Medical Doctor Association Respiratory Doctor Branch, 2021, Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (2021 Revision). Chinese Journal of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, 44(3): 170–205.

Geng Y, Wang L, Geng L, et al., 2023, Effects of Thunder-Fire Moxibustion Combined with Respiratory Rehabilitation Training on Cardiopulmonary Function and Exercise Tolerance in Elderly Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Chinese Journal of Geriatrics, 43(12): 2872–2876.

Cai T, Liu D, Wang X, et al., 2022, Effects of Multidisciplinary Collaboration on Cardiopulmonary Function Rehabilitation Training on Cardiopulmonary Function, Sleep Quality, and Psychological State in Stable Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. International Journal of Psychiatry, 49(4): 724–726, 737.

Shen C, Niu L, Zhang M, et al., 2022, Application Effect of Staged Respiratory Training Combined with Family Aerobic Exercise in Interactive Standard-Achieving Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Elderly Patients with COPD. Chinese Journal of Geriatrics, 42(18): 4613–4616.

Lian B, Zhang Y, Gai J, et al., 2024, Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Undergoing Long-Term Home Oxygen Therapy. Chinese Journal of Geriatrics, 43(10): 1265–1270.

Kou Y, Liu L, 2022, Analysis of the Rehabilitation Effect of Group Health Education Based on Interaction Analysis Combined with Expectoration Training on Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Respiratory Failure. Geriatrics & Health Care, 28(4): 828–832.

Yin Y, Yin H, Wang W, et al., 2024, Effects of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Training on Respiratory Function, Muscle Strength, Muscle Quality, and Exercise Tolerance in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Sarcopenia. Journal of Xinxiang Medical College, 41(11): 1059–1064.

Yang Y, Wei L, Wang S, et al., 2020, The Effects of Pursed-Lip Breathing Combined with Diaphragmatic Breathing on Pulmonary Function and Exercise Capacity in Patients with COPD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 2020: 1–11.

Zang M, Cai G, Lin W, et al., 2017, Effects of Five-Animal Exercises Bird Dance Combined with Simple Breathing Exercises on Quality of Life and Immune Function in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Journal of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 34(06): 819–823.

Yang IA, Brown JL, George J, et al., 2017, COPD-X Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: 2017 Update. The Medical Journal of Australia, 207(10): 436–442.

Nici L, Donner C, Wouters E, et al., 2006, American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society Statement on Pulmonary Rehabilitation. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 173(12): 1390–1413.

Spruit MA, Singh SJ, Garvey C, et al., 2013, An Official American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society Statement: Key Concepts and Advances in Pulmonary Rehabilitation. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 188(8): e13–64.