Comparing Combined Arm and Leg Endurance Training Versus Leg Training Alone to Improve Daily Activities and Walking in COPD Patients

What this Trial Is About

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD causes exercise intolerance and difficulty performing daily activities due to symptoms like breathlessness and fatigue. This research evaluates whether adding upper limb endurance training to the usual lower limb rehabilitation improves patients ability to perform daily tasks, compared to the standard lower limb training alone. The study is a randomized controlled trial aiming to improve exercise tolerance and quality of life in COPD patients. Participants will be assigned to one of two rehabilitation programs lasting 14 daily sessions of 90 minutes each. One group will perform lower limb training on a stationary bike plus strengthening exercises. The other group will combine lower limb cycling, arm ergometer training, and strengthening exercises for both upper and lower limbs. All sessions will be supervised by physiotherapists, and education about disease management will be provided. Throughout the study, participants will undergo clinical evaluations including lung function tests, blood gas analysis, and quality of life questionnaires. The main measurement is the time taken to complete the GLITTRE test, assessing daily living activities, evaluated from randomization to the end of the program up to 16 days. Secondary outcomes include changes in effort tolerance for upper and lower limbs and energy cost of walking. Safety and progress will be monitored during the rehabilitation period.

Effect of Combined Endurance Training on ADL and Walking in COPD Patients