Good repeatability ( for the 6MWT and ESWT ) and reproducibility ( for the 6MWT , 12-minute walk test , ISWT , ESWT , and incremental cycle ergometer test ) were reported by most studies assessing these tests , providing patients were familiarized with them beforeh and .
The 6MWT , ISWT , and particularly the ESWT were reported to be sensitive to therapeutic intervention .
Exercise tests are often used to evaluate the functional status of patients with COPD .
However , to the best of our knowledge , a comprehensive systematic comparison of these tests has not been performed .
We systematic ally review ed studies reporting the repeatability and /or reproducibility of these tests , and studies comparing their sensitivity to therapeutic intervention .
Adjuncts to physical training of patients with severe COPD: oxygen or noninvasive ventilation?
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown positive effects from noninvasive ventilation ( NIV ) or supplemental oxygen on exercise capacity in patients with COPD . However , the best adjunct for promoting physiologic adaptations to physical training in patients with severe COPD remains to be investigated . METHODS Twenty-eight patients ( mean + /- SD age 68 + /- 7 y ) with stable COPD ( FEV(1 ) 34 + /- 9 % of predicted ) undergoing an exercise training program were r and omized to either NIV ( n = 14 ) or supplemental oxygen ( n = 14 ) during group training to maintain peripheral oxygen saturation ( S(pO2 ) ) > /= 90 % . Physical training consisted of treadmill walking ( at 70 % of maximal speed ) 3 times a week , for 6 weeks . Patients were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks . Assessment s included physiological adaptations during incremental exercise testing ( ratio of lactate concentration to walk speed , oxygen uptake [ V ( O2 ) ] , and dyspnea ) , exercise tolerance during 6-min walk test , leg fatigue , maximum inspiratory pressure , and health-related quality of life . RESULTS Two patients in each group dropped out due to COPD exacerbations and lack of exercise program adherence , and 24 completed the training program . Both groups improved 6-min walk distance , symptoms , and health-related quality of life . However , there were significant differences between the NIV and supplemental-oxygen groups in lactate/speed ratio ( 33 % vs -4 % ) , maximum inspiratory pressure ( 80 % vs 23 % ) , 6-min walk distance ( 122 m vs 47 m ) , and leg fatigue ( 25 % vs 11 % ) . In addition , changes in S(pO2)/speed , V ( O2 ) , and dyspnea were greater with NIV than with supplemental-oxygen . CONCLUSIONS NIV alone is better than supplemental oxygen alone in promoting beneficial physiologic adaptations to physical exercise in patients with severe COPD
Good repeatability ( for the 6MWT and ESWT ) and reproducibility ( for the 6MWT , 12-minute walk test , ISWT , ESWT , and incremental cycle ergometer test ) were reported by most studies assessing these tests , providing patients were familiarized with them beforeh and .
The 6MWT , ISWT , and particularly the ESWT were reported to be sensitive to therapeutic intervention .
Exercise tests are often used to evaluate the functional status of patients with COPD .
However , to the best of our knowledge , a comprehensive systematic comparison of these tests has not been performed .
We systematic ally review ed studies reporting the repeatability and /or reproducibility of these tests , and studies comparing their sensitivity to therapeutic intervention .