Takahashi H, Sugawara K, Satake M, Shioya T, Kagaya H, Kawatani M. Effects of low-intensity exercise training (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Sitting Calisthenics) in patients with stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2011; 2: 5-12.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), consisting of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) sitting calisthenics (CSC), which are performed in a seated position by outpatients with stable COPD.
Methods: Sixty-seven males with stable COPD undergoing outpatient treatment were recruited. They were randomly assigned to either a calisthenics group (n = 35), which underwent PR consisting of CSC performed at home for 3 months and an educational program at the outpatient department, or a control group (n = 32) that underwent only a monthly outpatient educational program.
Results: The peak oxygen uptake (VO₂) values for the aerobic CSC performed at target dyspnea ratings of 2 were 39.4-52.1% of the peak VO₂ values obtained from the 6-min walking test; these findings indicated that the calisthenics were low-intensity exercises. The actual home implementation rates of CSC were as follows: stretching, 92.0%; arm strength training, 40.4%; leg strength training, 44.2%; and aerobic exercise, 76.2%. A significant improvement was noted in VC, %VC, FVC, FRC, RV, RV/TLC, 6MWD and CRQ after 3 months of PR in the calisthenics group, whereas no significant change was observed in any parameter in the control group.
Conclusion: CSC is an effective treatment strategy in patients with stable COPD.