Running head: CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGYClinical physiologyName of the student:Name of the University:Author’s note
1CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGYAbstract:The number of people with moderate to severe COPD has been rising and the morbidityassociated with the disease such as frequent asthma attacks and low lung function significantlyaffects the quality of life of affected people. The most severe symptoms of COPD is progressiveshortness of breath resulting in deterioration in quality of life. To reduce the cost attributable toCOPD care and management of symptoms of patient, the main purpose of this research was toinvestigate about the effects of a 12 week exercise intervention on anxiety and quality of life ofpatients with moderate to severe COPD. The main research hypothesis was that completion of 12week exercise regimen will reduce perceived anxiety in patients with COPD. The study wasdone with two groups of participants selected from Manawatu region in New Zealand- firstgroup had participants with moderate COPD and other group has patients with severe COPDwith 30-50% predicted FEV1. (Forced expiration volume).All participants were provided a 12week exercise programme by U-kinetics exercise and wellness clinic. The statistical analysis ofthe data revealed positive changes in HADs scores, but moderate change on FEV results.Moderate group showed strong improvement in anxiety score and delayed effect was seen insevere group. Another important finding was that physical perception of self also influencedanxiety level of participants. Hence, the data differed based on severity of symptoms. It can beconcluded that exercise interventions are beneficial for COPD patients, however there is a needto consider other strategies or longer duration of exercise programme to improve anxietysymptoms in COPD patients with severity of symptoms. Discussion:
2CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGYPatients with COPD having three or more comorbidities are frequently hospitalized anddie prematurely compared to other patients. Among all the comorbidities, anxiety and depressionhas a major impact on burden of COPD, quality of life and adherence to treatment (Yohannes &Alexopoulos 2014). As anxiety disorders are disabling and decrease self-esteem in patients, theimportance of physical exercise in improving symptoms in severe to moderate COPD patientshas been considered in this study. The aim of the research was to provide 12 week exerciseintervention to reduce anxiety and depression in participants. The main exercise given toparticipants with severe and moderate COPD symptoms included combination of aerobic andresistance exercise provided for 50-60 minutes duration two to three days per week. Theselection of aerobic exercise for COPD patients is an effective intervention for this researchbecause evidence has proved that heart rate variability issues is major issue in COPD patientsand aerobic exercise training program leads to improvement in autonomic modulation (Borghi-Silva et al., 2009). Hence, aerobic exercise training program can increase exercise tolerance andimprovement in anxiety and heart rate of patients. In addition, resistance training in patients withCOPD is found to improve respiratory function of patients (Strasser, Siebert, & Schobersberger,2013). Although past studies have proved the benefits of exercise on improving symptoms andquality of life of COPD patients, however this study finding was important to know thedifference in outcome in patients with severe and moderate anxiety or depression. There is veryfew and inconsistent research on analyzing the impact of exercise outcome on patient withdifferent level of severity. The study was done with a total of 42 mixed gender participants. The main outcome ofproviding 12 week exercise programme to patients with moderate and severe COPD was thatsignificant changes in physiological and psychological scores was seen at baseline and 12 week
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