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 ) .
Written Disclosure Therapy for Patients With Chronic Lung Disease Undergoing Pulmonary Rehabilitation
PURPOSE : Chronic lung diseases are typically associated with impaired quality of life , stress , and anxiety . Written disclosure therapy ( WDT ) reduces stress in patients with a variety of chronic illnesses . We sought to determine whether WDT benefits patients with chronic lung disease . METHODS : A prospect i ve , r and omized , controlled trial was performed to evaluate the effect of using WDT in patients ( N = 66 ) participating in a pulmonary rehabilitation program . Patients were r and omly assigned to write about a particularly traumatic life event ( WDT group ) or to write about an emotionally neutral subject ( control group ) .  Exercise capacity , dyspnea and quality of life , and values of spirometry were recorded at baseline , at the end of the program , and at 6 months . RESULTS : The 6-minute walk distance ( 6MWD ) significantly improved in both groups at 2 months , from 278 to 327 m in WDT and from 269 to 314 m in control groups ( P < .01 in both groups ) . There was no difference in improvement in 6MWD between groups ( P = .88 ) . At 6 months , the gains made in 6MWD were no longer present . Dyspnea severity , as well as most of the other domains of the Chronic Respiratory Disease Question naire and the St. George 's Respiratory Question naire , showed improvement within each group , but not between WDT and control groups . CONCLUSION : WDT did not add any additional benefit in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis when included as a component of pulmonary rehabilitation . These results are in contrast to previously seen benefits in patients with asthma
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 ) .