Effectiveness of an exercise training programme COPD in primary care: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation is very effective in improving exercise capacity, dyspnea and quality of life in the small group of patients with moderate to severe COPD. Given that little is known about exercise training in the large group of patients with mild to moderate COPD, we assessed the effectiveness of an exercise training programme in primary care.

Methods: In this RCT, 90 patients with mild to moderate COPD (FEV 74.

Efficacy of a physical exercise training programme COPD in primary care: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is recognized as a systemic illness with significant extra-pulmonary features, such as exercise intolerance and muscle weakness. Pulmonary rehabilitation has been shown to be very effective in counteracting these consequences in patients with more advanced COPD. However, limited data is available on the efficacy of a physical exercise training programme in patients with mild to moderate COPD in primary care.

Exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease receiving physical therapy: a cohort-nested randomised controlled trial.

Background: Physical exercise training aims at reducing disease-specific impairments and improving quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD exacerbations in particular negatively impact COPD progression. Physical therapy intervention seems indicated to influence exacerbations and their consequences.

Discrepancy between functional exercise capacity and daily physical activity: a cross-sectional study in patients with mild to moderate COPD.

Background: In patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) the six-minute walk distance reflects the functional exercise level for daily physical activity. It is unknown if this also applies to patients with mild to moderate COPD in primary care.

Aims: To assess the relationship between functional exercise capacity and physical activity in patients with mild to moderate COPD.