Effects of home-based lower limb resistance training on muscle strength and functional status in stable Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effect of home-based lower limb resistance training (LLRT) on muscle strength, functional status, and exercise endurance in patients with stable COPD.
Results Summary
The study found that home-based LLRT improved lower limb functional status (measured by FTSST) and exercise endurance (6MWD), though muscle strength improvements were not significant. The intervention group showed a significant decrease in COPD assessment tool scores compared to the control group.
Population
Patients with stable COPD
Effective Dosage
Six sets of lower limb training cycles using self-gravity resistance and Thera-band resistance at 8-12RM, 20-30 min/session, 3 sessions/week
Duration
12 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
home-based lower limb resistance training (LLRT) | no change | isometric extensor muscle peak torque (PT) | patients with stable COPD | - | did not significantly change | #1 |
home-based lower limb resistance training (LLRT) | no change | isometric extensor muscle PT to body weight ratio (PT/BW) | patients with stable COPD | - | did not significantly change | #2 |
home-based lower limb resistance training (LLRT) | no change | isokinetic extensor muscle peak torque (PT) | patients with stable COPD | - | did not significantly change | #3 |
home-based lower limb resistance training (LLRT) | no change | isokinetic extensor muscle PT/BW | patients with stable COPD | - | did not significantly change | #4 |
routine PR guidance only | no change | isometric extensor muscle PT to body weight ratio (PT/BW) | patients with stable COPD | - | no significant intragroup difference was noted | #5 |
routine PR guidance only | no change | isokinetic extensor muscle peak torque (PT) | patients with stable COPD | - | no significant intragroup difference was noted | #6 |
routine PR guidance only | no change | isokinetic extensor muscle PT/BW | patients with stable COPD | - | no significant intragroup difference was noted | #7 |
home-based lower limb resistance training (LLRT) | decrease | five-repetition sit-to-stand test (FTSST) durations | patients with stable COPD | - | decrease was significant | #8 |
routine PR guidance only | decrease | five-repetition sit-to-stand test (FTSST) durations | patients with stable COPD | - | decrease was significant | #9 |
home-based lower limb resistance training (LLRT) | increase | 6-min walking distances (6MWDs) | patients with stable COPD | - | significantly increased | #10 |
routine PR guidance only | increase | 6-min walking distances (6MWDs) | patients with stable COPD | - | significantly increased | #11 |
home-based lower limb resistance training (LLRT) | decrease | COPD assessment tool score | patients with stable COPD | - | decreased significantly | #12 |
home-based lower limb resistance training (LLRT) | increase | muscle strength | patients with stable COPD | - | can improve | #13 |
home-based lower limb resistance training (LLRT) | increase | exercise endurance | patients with stable COPD | - | can improve | #14 |
home-based lower limb resistance training (LLRT) | increase | lower limb functional status | patients with stable COPD | - | can improve | #15 |
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the effect of home-based lower limb resistance training (LLRT) in patients with stable COPD. BACKGROUND: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in COPD patients has been substantially investigated, but the rehabilitation components differ among studies. Few works have focused on home-based LLRT. Furthermore, few studies have assessed muscle strength and functional status by isokinetic/isometric extensor muscle peak torque (PT) and five-repetition sit-to-stand test (FTSST), respectively. DESIGN: A randomised controlled design was adopted. METHODS: (i) The home-based LLRT consisted of six sets of lower limb training cycles by self-gravity resistance and Thera-band resistance at 8-12RM, 20-30 min/session and 3 sessions/week for 12 weeks. (ii) The intervention group (n = 25) received routine PR guidance and home-based LLRT, whereas the control group (n = 22) received routine PR guidance only. The muscle strengths, FTSST durations, 6-min walking distances (6MWDs) and COPD assessment test results at enrolment and week 12 were compared. RESULTS: Relative to the baseline findings, all the indexes of muscle strength (isometric extensor muscle PT, isometric extensor muscle PT to body weight ratio [PT/BW], isokinetic extensor muscle PT and isokinetic extensor muscle PT/BW) did not significantly change in the intervention group. Meanwhile, no significant intragroup difference was noted among the indexes of muscle strength (except for isometric extensor muscle PT) in the control group. The FTSST decrease was significant between and within groups. By contrast, the 6MWD significantly increased within both groups, but not between the groups. The COPD assessment tool score decreased significantly within the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with routine PR guidance, home-based LLRT can improve not only the muscle strength and exercise endurance but also the lower limb functional status. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Our developed home-based LLRT intervention is simple, safe and feasible in stable COPD patients and could hence be promoted in clinical practice.