Effect of pulmonary rehabilitation programme including either O(2) inhalation or noninvasive ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is crucial in managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and enhancing functional capacity and health status. Oxygen therapy and noninvasive ventilation (NIV) may be needed to be incorporated into rehabilitation to augment the effectiveness of physical training. OBJECTIVES: To compare and assess the impact of the PR programme alone and with augmentation with O(2) or NIV on COPD patients. METHODS: Seventy-five COPD patients were equally divided into three groups: group 1 patients performed 8 week-PR programme only. Group 2 performed the PR programme while receiving O(2). Group 3 completed the PR programme plus NIV. Modified Borg scale, VO(2) max, modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale, 6-minute walk test, COPD assessment test score, spirometric measures and arterial blood gases were assessed before and after the programme. RESULTS: The outcome measurements showed meaningful improvement compared with the baseline in the three studied groups. However, VO(2) max in group 3 showed higher significant improvement than both groups 1 and 2. Regarding 6-minute walk test, groups 2 and 3 had a higher significant improvement than group 1. COPD assessment test score in group 3 showed higher significant improvement than groups 1 and 2. Arterial blood gases in groups 2 and 3 showed significant increase in partial pressure of arterial oxygen and arterial oxygen saturation, but group 3 only had a significant decrease in PaCO(2). CONCLUSION: O(2) supplementation and NIV help severe to very severe COPD patients to perform higher exercise intensity, so they augment the benefits of PR.