Breathing retraining and exercise conditioning in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a physiological approach

Effects of short-term breathing exercises on respiratory recovery in patients with COVID-19: a quasi-experimental study

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious respiratory tract disease. The most common clinical manifestation of severe COVID-19 is acute respiratory failure. Respiratory rehabilitation can be a crucial part of treatment, but data lack for patients with COVID-19. This study investigates the effects of short-term respiratory rehabilitation (i.e., breathing exercises) on respiratory recovery among non-ICU hospitalised patients with COVID-19.

Methods

This was a quasi-experimental, pre-and post-test study. The study recruited 173 patients hospitalised with moderate to severe COVID-19. All the patients received standardised care for COVID-19, and 94 patients in the intervention group also received the intervention of breathing exercises, which included breathing control, followed by diaphragmatic breathing, deep breathing, or thoracic expansion exercise, and huffing (forced expiratory technique) and coughing. Data on the mean values of peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂), need for oxygen therapy (litre/min), respiratory rate (breaths/minute), and heart rate (beats/minute) and were collected at baseline, 4 days, and 7 days after the baseline assessment. Analysis of variance on repeated measures was applied to compare the mean value of outcome measures of all the time points.

Results

The mean (± SD) age of the intervention (69.6% men) and control group (62.1% men) were 50.1 (10.5) and 51.5 (10.4) years, respectively. At 4-day of follow-up, SpO2 (96.6% ± 1.9 vs. 90.7% ± 1.8, P < 0.001), need for oxygen therapy (0.8 ± 2.6 vs. 2.3 ± 2.9, P < 0.001), respiratory rate (20.5 ± 2.3 vs. 22.3 ± 2.5, P < 0.001), and heart rate (81.2 ± 9.5 vs. 89.2 ± 8.9, P < 0.001) improved in the intervention group compared to the control group. At 7-day follow-up, differences remained significant concerning the oxygen saturation and the need for oxygen therapy (P < 0.001) between the groups.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that breathing exercise, even for a short period, effectively improves specific respiratory parameters in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients. As a non-invasive and cost-effective respiratory rehabilitation intervention, breathing exercise can be a valuable tool for a health care system overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These results should be considered preliminary until they are replicated in larger samples in different settings.

Dyspnea related to reversibly-binding P2Y12 inhibitors: A review of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation and diagnostics

Dyspnea is a common symptom physiologically associated with strenuous exercise and pathologically reflecting well-known diseases and conditions that are predominantly pulmonary, cardiovascular, and weight-related in origin. Dyspnea improves with appropriate measures that enhance physical performance and treatment of the underlying diseases. Dyspnea is less commonly triggered by other causes such as the environment (e.g., ozone), drugs, and others, some of which do not seem to affect bronchopulmonary function as evidenced by normal results of comprehensive pulmonary function testing. In cardiovascular medicine, dyspnea has recently attracted attention because it has been reported that this symptom occurs more frequently with the administration of the new oral reversibly-binding platelet P2Y12 receptor inhibitors ticagrelor [1-6], cangrelor [7-10], and elinogrel [11]. This paper succinctly addresses the current understanding of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and diagnostics of dyspnea, associated either with bronchopulmonary function impairment, as triggered mainly by pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, or without bronchopulmonary function impairment, as induced by endogenous or external compounds such as drugs in order to provide a context for understanding, recognizing and managing P2Y12 inhibitor-induced dyspnea.

Effects of controlled breathing exercises and respiratory muscle training in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: results from evaluating the quality of evidence in systematic reviews

Background

This paper reviews evidence and quality of Systematic Reviews (SRs) on the effects of breathing control exercises (BCEs) and respiratory muscle training (RMT) on breathlessness/dyspnea and other symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods

A search for BCE and RMT literature in COPD published between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2013 was performed in the following databases: PubMed, Ovid, CINAHL, PsycINFO, AMED, Cochrane and PEDro. The AMSTAR criteria were used to evaluate quality.

Results

After reviewing 642 reports, seven SRs were identified on RMT and BCEs. Three SRs were of high quality, three were of moderate quality, and one was of low quality. Two high-quality SRs reported significantly beneficial effects of RMT on dyspnea, and one reported significant effects on disease-specific QOL and fatigue. In these SRs, pooled data analyses were performed with three to fourteen single randomised control trials (RCTs) included in the analysis. In one of the SRs the quality of the single RCTs were rated by the authors to be between 5–7 (with10 best) and in the other one the quality of the single RCTs were rated to be between 30-83% of the maximum score.

One high-quality SR found a significant positive effect of BCE based on pooled data analysis with two single RCTs in regard to pursed-lip breathing (PLB) on breathlessness. In this SR, one single RCT on diaphragmatic breathing (DB) and another one on yoga breathing (YB) showed effect on disease-specific QOL. The single RCTs included in the SR were rated by the authors in the SRs to be of low and moderate quality.

Conclusions

Based on three high-quality SRs performing pooled data analyses, there is evidence that RMT has effect on breathlessness, fatigue and disease-specific QOL and PLB on breathlessness. There is also evidence that single studies on DB and YB has effect on disease-specific QOL. Few RCTs are available and the variable quality of the single RCTs in the SRs, seem to require more RCTs in particular for BCEs, but also RMT before conclusions regarding effects and high quality SRs can be written.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2466-14-184) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Thoraco-abdominal motion/displacement does not affect dyspnea following exercise training in COPD patients

PURPOSE

The interrelations among chest wall kinematics (displacement and configuration), ventilatory profile and dyspnea relief following cycle exercise training (EXT) have not been systematically evaluated in hyperinflated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. We hypothesize that a decrease in ventilation affects dyspnea relief, regardless of the changes in chest wall kinematics.

METHODS

Fourteen patients were studied before and after 24-session exercise training program. We evaluated the volumes of chest wall and its compartments (rib cage, and abdomen) using optoelectronic plethysmography.

RESULTS

At iso-time EXT (i) reduced ventilation, respiratory frequency and dyspnea (by Borg scale), mildly improved rib cage configuration, but left operational volumes unchanged; (ii) Borg was much smaller for any comparable inspiratory reserve volume (IRVcw), and a decrease in IRVcw was tolerated much better for any given Borg.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of the changes in chest wall kinematics, a decrease in ventilation attenuates dyspnea following EXT.

Behavioral medicine approaches to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent respiratory disease and associated with considerable individual and socioeconomic burden. Recent research started examining the role of psychosocial factors for course and management of the disease.

PURPOSE

This review provides an overview on recent findings on psychosocial factors and behavioral medicine approaches in COPD.

RESULTS

Research has identified several important psychosocial factors and effective behavioral medicine interventions in COPD. However, there is considerable need for future research in this field.

CONCLUSIONS

Although beneficial effects of some behavioral medicine interventions have been demonstrated in COPD, future research efforts are necessary to study the effects of distinct components of these interventions, to thoroughly examine promising but yet not sufficiently proven interventions, and to develop new creative interventions.

Breathing exercises for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Breathing exercises for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) aim to alter respiratory muscle recruitment, improve respiratory muscle performance and reduce dyspnoea. Although some studies have reported positive short-term physiological effects of breathing exercises in people with COPD, their effects on dyspnoea, exercise capacity and well being are unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether breathing exercises in people with COPD have beneficial effects on dyspnoea, exercise capacity and health-related quality of life compared to no breathing exercises in people with COPD; and to determine whether there are any adverse effects of breathing exercises in people with COPD.

SEARCH METHODS

The Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register of trials and the PEDro database were searched from inception to October 2011.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised parallel trials that compared breathing exercises to no breathing exercises or another intervention in people with COPD.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. Primary outcomes were dyspnoea, exercise capacity and health-related quality of life; secondary outcomes were gas exchange, breathing pattern and adverse events. To determine whether effects varied according to the treatment used, we assessed each breathing technique separately.

MAIN RESULTS

Sixteen studies involving 1233 participants with mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) 30% to 51% predicted were included. There was a significant improvement in six-minute walk distance after three months of yoga involving pranayama timed breathing techniques (mean difference to control 45 metres, 95% confidence interval 29 to 61 metres; two studies; 74 participants), with similar improvements in single studies of pursed lip breathing (mean 50 metres; 60 participants) and diaphragmatic breathing (mean 35 metres; 30 participants). Effects on dyspnoea and health-related quality of life were inconsistent across trials. Addition of computerised ventilation feedback to exercise training did not provide additional improvement in dyspnoea-related quality of life (standardised mean difference -0.03; 95% CI -0.43 to 0.49; two studies; 73 participants) and ventilation feedback alone was less effective than exercise training alone for improving exercise endurance (mean difference -15.4 minutes; 95% CI -28.1 to -2.7 minutes; one study; 32 participants). No significant adverse effects were reported. Few studies reported details of allocation concealment, assessor blinding or intention-to-treat analysis.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Breathing exercises over four to 15 weeks improve functional exercise capacity in people with COPD compared to no intervention; however, there are no consistent effects on dyspnoea or health-related quality of life. Outcomes were similar across all the breathing exercises examined. Treatment effects for patient-reported outcomes may have been overestimated owing to lack of blinding. Breathing exercises may be useful to improve exercise tolerance in selected individuals with COPD who are unable to undertake exercise training; however, these data do not suggest a widespread role for breathing exercises in the comprehensive management of people with COPD.

Pursed-lips breathing improves inspiratory capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

In patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pursed-lips breathing (PLB) improves the pulmonary gas exchange and hyperinflation measured by electro-optic coupling. The response to PLB in inspiratory lung function tests is not known.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of PLB on inspiratory parameters.

METHODS

Thirty-five subjects with stable COPD and a forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV(1)) <50% of the predicted value were tested for the following primary parameters before and immediately after PLB, and 5 min later: forced inspiratory vital capacity, inspiratory capacity (IC), forced inspiratory volume in first second, maximal inspiratory flow at 50% of vital capacity, and peak inspiratory flow. Patients were also tested for the following secondary parameters: vital capacity, FEV(1), breathing frequency, end-tidal CO(2) tension, and oxygen saturation.

RESULTS

Of all the primary parameters only IC (p = 0.006) improved significantly; with regard to the secondary parameters, the mean oxygen saturation was improved by 1% (p = 0.005) and the mean end-tidal CO(2) tension and breathing frequency decreased significantly (p < 0.0001 for both) to 3.2 mm Hg and 3.1 breaths/min, respectively. After 5 min the effects diminished.

CONCLUSION

Improved IC after PLB indicates less hyperinflation in patients with severe COPD; there was no effect on parameters of flow.

Rationale of the combined use of inspiratory and expiratory devices in improving maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVE

To examine the rationale of the combined use of a new expiratory device in association with a previously assessed inspiratory device in improving 3 indicators of the respiratory muscle strength, for example, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and dyspnea grade.

DESIGN

Randomized trial.

SETTING

Home-based pulmonary rehabilitation.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults (N=32; mean age, 68y).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

We instructed 32 patients with mild to very severe COPD to use the devices, and randomized them in a 1:1 ratio: they were assigned to the sham training control group (16 patients who trained at a load not able to improve MIP and MEP) or to the training group (16 patients). The patients trained at home twice daily for 15 minutes, 7 days a week, for 12 months. MIP and MEP as well as dyspnea perception were evaluated at 1, 6, and 12 months from the beginning of the training. The impact of additional work of breathing was measured at baseline and after the use of the expiratory device.

RESULTS

The patients who performed the respiratory training showed significant and progressive improvements of MIP (81+/-4 at 12 months vs 57+/-7 as basal values expressed in cm H2O; P<.05) and MEP (97+/-2 at 12 months vs 62+/-4 as basal values; P<.05) at the end of the training. In addition, they showed a significant reduction of dyspnea perception (1.18+/-0.29 vs 2.93+/-0.32 as basal values; P<.05) at the end of the training.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that home exercise with the combined use of our expiratory and inspiratory devices leads to a significant improvement of respiratory muscle function in patients with mild to very severe COPD.

Can ventilation-feedback training augment exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

RATIONALE

Exercise-induced dynamic hyperinflation contributes to decreased exercise tolerance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is unknown whether respiratory retraining (ventilation-feedback [VF] training) can affect exercise-induced dynamic hyperinflation and increase exercise tolerance.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether patients with COPD would achieve longer exercise duration if randomized to a combination of exercise training plus VF training than either form of training on its own.

METHODS

A total of 64 patients randomized to 1 of 3 groups: VF plus exercise (n = 22), exercise alone (n = 20), and VF alone (n = 22).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Exercise duration before and after 36 training sessions and exercise-induced dynamic hyperinflation and respiratory pattern before and after training were measured. In the 49 patients who completed training, duration of constant work-rate exercise was 40.0 (+/- 20.4) minutes (mean +/- SD) with VF plus exercise, 31.5 (+/- 17.3) minutes with exercise alone, and 16.1 (+/- 19.3) minutes with VF alone. Exercise duration was longer in VF plus exercise than in VF alone (P < 0.0001), but did not reach predetermined statistical significance when VF plus exercise was compared with exercise alone (P = 0.022) (because of multiple comparisons, P </= 0.0167 was used for statistical significance). After training, exercise-induced dynamic hyperinflation, measured at isotime, in VF plus exercise was less than in exercise alone (P = 0.014 for between-group changes) and less than in VF alone (P = 0.019 for between-group changes). After training, expiratory time was longer in VF plus exercise training (P < 0.001), and it was not significantly changed in the other two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of VF plus exercise training decreases exercise-induced dynamic hyperinflation and increases exercise duration more than VF alone. An additive effect to exercise training from VF was not demonstrated by predetermined statistical criteria.

Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a family's everyday life in Finland: perceptions of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their spouses

The aim of this study is to describe the experiences of people with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in their everyday lives by using the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. Five people with COPD and four spouses participated in the study. The data were collected by thematic personal interviews and were analyzed by deductive content analysis. The findings describe the impairment of body function of people with COPD, they provide knowledge of those factors that promote the well-being of people with COPD, how they cope on a daily basis, and the importance of their spouse. Knowledge about COPD for all health-care professionals is a precondition to ensure that people receive the help they need. People with COPD found it important to have a care relationship with their own treatment unit. The findings of the present study showed that peer support was an important matter.

An evaluation of the acute impact of pursed lips breathing on walking distance in nonspontaneous pursed lips breathing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

This study was designed to test the effects of pursed lips breathing (PLB) during exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who did not spontaneously perform PLB. Sixty-nine COPD patients, mean FEV1 (SD) 1.09 (0.5), age 68 (51-83) were recruited to the study. They performed three incremental shuttle walk tests (ISWT). The first walk was designed to identify natural PLBs and the next two walks were performed in a random order; ISWT + PLB or ISWT whilst breathing normally. Measures of respiratory rate (RR), breathlessness and oxygen saturation were taken before and after walks. Data was analysed using the t-test. Fifteen patients demonstrated PLB on baseline ISWT and were therefore excluded from further walking tests although baseline data was included in the analysis. There was no significant difference between walks, mean (SD), 298.5 (173.7) PLB and non-PLB; 292.5 (161.9) nor any difference in dyspnoea. There was a significant reduction in end exercise RR and recovery time with PLB, mean difference (95% CI); 6.2 (4.5-7.9) and 24.9 (2.8-47.0) seconds, respectively. Patients who showed a good response with the PLB walk (41%) had significantly higher baseline breathlessness, Borg score, mean (SD), 1.5 (1.0) versus 0.74 (0.96) (P = 0.02). Natural PLB patients demonstrated lower exercise tolerance on the baseline walk (P = 0.01) and a trend towards greater resting breathlessness than those who did not. This study shows PLB during exercise and recovery results in lower post exercise RR and speeds return to pre exercise breathlessness, compared with exercise and non-PLB. Reductions in RR appear to be greatest in those patients with resting breathlessness.

Dyspnea: the role of psychological processes

Breathlessness or dyspnea-the subjective experience of breathing discomfort-is a symptom in many pulmonary, cardiovascular, and neuromuscular diseases. It occurs in normals as well during intense emotional states and heavy labor or exercise. In clinical cases, it generally causes severe suffering. Dyspnea has multifactorial causes and the explanation for the symptom may differ largely among patients. Explanatory models imply the involvement of mechanisms at several levels of functioning, such as afferent signals from the respiratory muscles or blood gas levels related to hypercapnia and hypoxia. Depending on the relative involvement of specific mechanisms and their interactions, dyspnea may be experienced differently and subtypes can be distinguished. More recently, perceptual-cognitive and emotional processes related to symptom perception and interpretation have been investigated in the context of dyspnea. In this review, we focus on the psychological processes that play part in the perception of dyspnea and formulate some practical guidelines for those who are confronted with dyspnea.