Physiotherapy in Exacerbation Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Physiotherapy Program Intervention in Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic condition. Its evolution can be aggravated in some periods by an increase of the symptoms (above all the cough, the dyspnoea and the quantity of sputum purulence). This is known as exacerbation and it is the most frequent cause of hospital stay, urgences services and death in COPD. A physiotherapy program is carrying out in patients attending to the Hospital because of an exacerbation.

The hypothesis of this study is that a physiotherapy program added to a medical treatment increase the ventilatory function, the physiques variables, decrease depression and anxiety and improve the quality of life. Additionally, it is going to be assessed the effect of physiotherapy in time using phone calls and visits to the patient's home.

The benefits added to the respiratory physiotherapy and physical activity have been evidenced previously in the treatment of COPD. This justify the need of a short physiotherapy intervention program regarding to the hospital stay in exacerbation of COPD and a follow-up after the hospital stay.

4% of europeans have been reported to have medical intervention caused by respiratory exacerbation. 20% of these patients are patients with COPD. The mortality of COPD exacerbation is about 14% and 30% if mechanical ventilation is needed.

In order to that, it is very important to improve the quality of life and the recuperation of patients. It is relevant to mention the the high cost associated to this condition.

Inclusion Criteria:

• COPD diagnosis with exacerbation.
• No contraindication of physiotherapy.
• Signed written consent.
• Medical approval for inclusion.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Heart disease.
• Neurological patients.
• Contraindications of physiotherapy.