Long-term Impact of Pulmonary Rehabilitation

The benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation are well documented elsewhere, however, the exact mechanisms responsible for these significant improvements and alteration of the disease progression are unexplained. Also unexplained is the apparent lack of carry over of functional capacity into free-living activities as measured by activity monitors.

There are no reported effects on decreasing level of inflammatory cytokines or C-reactive protein (CRP) post rehabilitation, however, a training response to reactive oxidative stress (ROS) after a moderate intensity pulmonary rehabilitation programme has been reported. As oxidative stress is a catalyst to inflammation, a training response to exercise induced ROS in patients with COPD may also have a secondary effect of modifying inflammation in the stable COPD patient thereby improving patient outcomes.

No studies to-date have combined free-living activities, biomarkers and standard outcome measures in patient's pre and post pulmonary rehabilitation or follow-up patients over a five year period.

Subjects referred to pulmonary rehabilitation who fulfil the GOLD criteria for COPD will be recruited on a rolling basis and randomly allocated to one of two groups. Group 1 (Control), Group 2 (Intervention).

It is a multi-centred, randomised controlled trial using the above convenience sample of patients referred to pulmonary rehabilitation who meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria.

Inclusion criteria

• A diagnosis of COPD based on the GOLD staging of the Disease
• MMRC score of 3 or above
• Ability to mobilize independently
• Willing to comply with the home exercise and inspiratory muscle training programmes
• Willing to wear the SenseWare Armband
• Optimal medical management
• No adverse effects to exercise testing
• Patient's awaiting lung transplant

Exclusion criteria

• Evidence of ischemic heart disease/acute changes on ECG
• Uncontrolled hypertension
• Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
• Uncontrolled CCF / idiopathic cardiomyopathy
• Reversible Asthma
• A diagnosis of lung cancer/TB/recent pneumothorax/PE or pneumonia
• Any musculoskeletal/neurological condition which would render the patient incapable of completing the course
• Exacerbation of COPD within 4 weeks of program
• Poor cognitive status
• Previous attendance at a pulmonary rehabilitation program