Abstract

Background. The objective of the study of short-lived physiotherapy procedure on selected functional parameters of lungs, parameters of arterial blood gas (ABG) and of physical capacity patients with advanced COPD was to assess its effectiveness. Material and methods. examinations were carried out on 40 of the hospitalized men with COPD. Patients were divided in two research groups. Group I -23 men observed a week rehabilitation program based on physiotherapy aimed at raising physical fitness of the patients, group II-control was made of 17 patients in which only pharmacological curing was employed. Functional examinations of the lungs were made with the help of apparatus of German Erich Jaeger FLOWSCREEN equipment. All patients underwent the following examinations: ABG, 6MWT (Six Minutes Walking Test), measurement of BMI (Mass Index Body) and a range of chest mobility. Results. Subjects from Group I, after completion of improvement process, were able to overcome a longer walking distance in a 6-minute walking test, this distance became, however, even shorter, compared to exit results, in the control group patients. However, the average walking speed as well as MET values calculated from the formulae increased in both groups. Parameter FVC significantly increased in group I patients. A significant improvement was also observed amongst studied ABG parameters: pO2 and SaO2 in the experimental group, and a decrease, after the same number of days, in the control group.Conclusions. 1. As a result of the weekly special physiotherapy program the walking distance covered during a 6-minute walking test increased. 2. Among lung function parameters only forced vital capacity increased significantly. 3. After a week of exer­cise pO2 and SaO2 significantly increased in the experimental group.

Key words:

COPD, pulmonary rehabilitation, respiratory function, Exercise Tolerance, POChP