Effects of Chair-Based Exercise Training on Exercise Capacity in Patients With Acute Exacerbation of COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, a respiratory disease characterized by chronic airflow limitation that is not completely reversible. Impaired pulmonary functions, decreased exercise capacity and quality of life and increased dyspnea perception is prevalent in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD.It was demonstrated exercise training has beneficial effects in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD. The purpose of this study to evaluate the effects of chair-based exercise training on exercise capacity, respiratory functions, dyspnea, balance, depression anxiety and quality of life in COPD patients in acute exacerbation.

Acute exacerbations of COPD are generally defined as events in the natural course of the disease characterized by a change in the patient's initial dyspnea, cough or sputum beyond normal daily variations. The main consequences of COPD in acute exacerbation are increased mortality, deterioration in health-related quality of life, faster decline in lung function, marked reduction in physical activity and worsening of peripheral muscle weakness, which have a direct impact on patients' health. Although exacerbations are diagnosed based on respiratory symptoms, there is evidence that they have systemic consequences, including a detrimental effect on skeletal muscle function, exercise tolerance and quality of life. Chair-based exercise training is defined as a structured and progressive exercise program applied by trainers that provides stability using a chair, which is a part of exercise training for the elderly. It is thought that it would be beneficial to study such an exercise program, since COPD patients in acute exacerbation have less mobilization during hospitalization. In a limited number of studies, some inconsistencies were observed in the exercises of patients with acute exacerbation of COPD. Studies can therefore now focus on investigating comparisons between different intervention lengths, session durations and frequencies, and intensities of exercise training. For this reason, in our planned study, we will investigate the effects of chair-based exercise training in COPD patients in acute exacerbation. There is no study in the literature investigating the effects of chair-based exercise training in COPD patients in acute exacerbation. For this reason, our study will provide important information support to the literature.