Determination of the minimal important difference for inspiratory muscle strength in people with severe and very severe COPD.

Objective: Inspiratory muscle training is recommended for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with inspiratory muscle weakness. Clinical interpretation of changes in inspiratory muscle strength could be helped by the determination of cut-off values. The aim of this study was to estimate the minimal important difference for inspiratory muscle strength assessed with maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) in people with COPD.

Effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on fear of falling in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients: An observational study.

Objective: COPD patients have more fear of falling (FOF) in comparison with control population. One major aim of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is to maintain physical activity. Studies show that FOF can limit physical activity.

Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on exercise capacity in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To compare strengthening by neuromuscular electrical stimulation versus cycle ergometer training during a pulmonary rehabilitation program, in patients with severe to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Design: A prospective randomized controlled study.

Setting: Two inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation centers.

Determination of the minimal important difference for Dyspnoea-12 questionnaire in patients with COPD, after pulmonary rehabilitation.

Introduction: The authors of the international task force about the management of Dyspnoea recommend assessing sensory and affective components of dyspnoea. The Dyspnoea-12 questionnaire (D-12) allows to assess both components of dyspnoea. D-12 is valid and reliable but its sensitivity to pulmonary rehabilitation was not studied.

Effect of different form of upper limb muscles training on dyspnea in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A study protocol.

Introduction: In activities involving upper limbs, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) report an increase in dyspnea. For this reason, the authors of the recommendations about pulmonary rehabilitation propose to perform upper limbs muscle strengthening in patients with COPD. However, the modalities of strengthening are not clearly established.