Meta- analysis revealed few clinical ly relevant and statistically significant benefits of " add-on " therapies on exercise performance compared with exercise training .
The aim of this review was to identify the effectiveness of therapies added on to conventional exercise training to maximise exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) .
Does a low-density gas mixture or oxygen supplementation improve exercise training in COPD?
BACKGROUND Low-density gas mixtures and oxygen ( O₂ ) supplementation are known to improve physical performance and ventilatory adaptation during incremental maximal exercise in COPD . We investigated whether their combined use during intense physical training is also effective in ameliorating exercise tolerance in patients affected by moderate to severe COPD . METHODS Thirty patients ( FEV₁ < 60 % of predicted ) underwent a 2-month rehabilitation program . Leg-cycle training was conducted thrice weekly at 80 % of the initial peak work rate for at least 20 min breathing room air , a 60 % helium and 40 % O₂ mixture , or supplemental O₂ ( 40 % ) inhaled from a Douglas bag . The study was r and omized with a double-blind design . Before and at the end of the training period the subjects were tested for spirometry , arterial gas tension , diffusing lung capacity for CO , and incremental and constant work rate exercise test on a cycle ergometer . RESULTS Physical training result ed in a significant improvement in peak oxygen consumption and power output ( P < .01 for both ) and in exercise endurance time ( P < .05 ) independently of the kind of inhaled gas during the rehabilitation program ( P ≥ .42 ) . No changes were observed in lung function tests or gas exchange . CONCLUSIONS We concluded that the use of a low-density gas mixture or O₂ supplementation does not contribute to improved exercise performance in patients with moderate to severe COPD without a significantly decreased diffusion lung capacity for CO who are able to tolerate intense physical training
Meta- analysis revealed few clinical ly relevant and statistically significant benefits of " add-on " therapies on exercise performance compared with exercise training .
The aim of this review was to identify the effectiveness of therapies added on to conventional exercise training to maximise exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) .