Su-Er Guo
Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan
Title: Effects of early exercise on health status and quality of life in hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Biography
Biography: Su-Er Guo
Abstract
Objectives: Early exercise can promote patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) quickly return to a steady state. However, no previous studies have examined the effects of early Tai-Chi exercise on exercise tolerance and quality of life. The aim of this study was to examine effects of Tai Chi intervention on exercise tolerance and health-related quality of life in hospitalized patients with AECOPD.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted. A purposive sampling of 31 patients with AECOPD (experimental group, n = 17 and control group, n = 14) was selected from hospitals in two cities of Midwest Taiwan. The generalized estimating equations were used to examine the effects of Tai Chi training intervention.
Results: The experimental group had better exercise tolerance than control group（P = 0.01）one week after discharge and (P = 0.01) six months after discharge. The experimental group had better quality of life than control group（P = 0.04） 3months after discharge.
Conclusions: Early exercise with Tai Chi intervention during hospitalization can enhance exercise tolerance and health-related quality of life. The findings can be seen as references for professional healthcare providers to promote early exercise in the future.
Key Words: Early exercise, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tai chi, Exercise tolerance.