Adjuncts to physical training of patients with severe COPD: oxygen or noninvasive ventilation?

Background: Previous studies have shown positive effects from noninvasive ventilation (NIV) or supplemental oxygen on exercise capacity in patients with COPD. However, the best adjunct for promoting physiologic adaptations to physical training in patients with severe COPD remains to be investigated.

Methods: Twenty-eight patients (mean +/- SD age 68 +/- 7 y) with stable COPD (FEV(1) 34 +/- 9% of predicted) undergoing an exercise training program were randomized to either NIV (n = 14) or supplemental oxygen (n = 14) during group training to maintain peripheral oxygen saturation (S(pO2)) >/= 90%.

The impact of noninvasive ventilation during the physical training in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objective: To evaluate the influence of physical training with or without noninvasive ventilation at 2 levels of pressure in the airways (BiPAP) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Methods: Eighteen patients with FEV(1) = 34 +/- 8% of predicted values, mean age of 68 +/- 9 years were randomly distributed into 2 groups, one group performing physical training on a treadmill and the other group performing physical training associated with BiPAP (physical training+B), for 30 minutes, 3 times a week for 12 weeks. The training velocity was based on a test of cardiopulmonary force performed pre- and postintervention, which registered the values for heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation, blood lactate, sensation of dyspnea, respiratory muscle strength, and analysis of gases expired such as oxygen consumption and the production of carbon dioxide.

Influence of noninvasive ventilation by BiPAP on exercise tolerance and respiratory muscle strength in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients (COPD).

This study aimed to assess the effect of BiPAP, by nasal mask, on exercise tolerance and respiratory muscle strength in patients with a clinical and spirometric diagnosis of moderate/severe COPD (FEV1 < 60% of predicted). Ten patients of 59.4+/-8.