Interventions that included ET and PA counseling during PR were effective strategies to improve PA in COPD
BACKGROUND Physical inactivity is associated with poor outcomes in COPD , and as a result , interventions to improve physical activity ( PA ) are a current research focus .
However , many trials have been small and inconclusive .
OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review and meta- analysis was to study the effects of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) targeting PA in COPD .
Essential amino acid supplementation in patients with severe COPD: a step towards home rehabilitation.
BACKGROUND Pulmonary Rehabilitation ( " Rehabilitation " ) can improve both lung function and quality of life in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) even if only a very small proportion of patients have access to Rehabilitation . Supplementation of Essential Amino Acids ( EAAs ) might allow COPD patients to achieve some typical Rehabilitation outcomes such as a better physical performance and an improved health status . METHODS 88 COPD out- patients ( GOLD class 3 - 4 ) with a body mass index ( BMI ) < 23 Kg/m2 were r and omised to receive EAAs ( n = 44 ) or placebo ( n = 44 ) for twelve weeks . Primary outcome measures were changes in both physical activities in daily life ( measured by Sense Wear Armb and in terms of mean steps walked in one week ) and in quality of life ( measured by the St George 's Respiratory Question naire , SGRQ ) . RESULTS After 12 weeks , the physical performance was significantly increased vs baseline only in patients who received EAAs ( 1140.33 + /- 524.69 and 638.68 + /- 662.1 steps/day , respectively ; p = 0.02 ) , being also the comparison vs the placebo group highly significant ( p = 0.003 ) . Similarly , the SGRQ score improved significantly only in EAA patients ( 69.35 + /- 9.51 vs baseline 72.04 + /- 8.62 ; p < 0.01 ) , and changes were significantly different from those measured in the placebo group ( p < 0.001 ) . Furthermore , when compared to those who received placebo , EAAs patients significantly increased their fat-free mass ( p = 0.04 ) , muscle strength ( p < 0.01 ) , saturation of oxygen ( p = 0.05 ) , serum albumin ( p < 0.001 ) , and also ameliorated their original cognitive dysfunction ( p = 0.02 ) . CONCLUSIONS Oral supplementation with EAAs contribute to improve the daily-life performance in domiciliary severe COPD patients who can not enter any Rehabilitation programme , together with their quality of life ; nutritional and cognitive status , and muscle strength
Interventions that included ET and PA counseling during PR were effective strategies to improve PA in COPD
BACKGROUND Physical inactivity is associated with poor outcomes in COPD , and as a result , interventions to improve physical activity ( PA ) are a current research focus .
However , many trials have been small and inconclusive .
OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review and meta- analysis was to study the effects of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) targeting PA in COPD .