A Controlled Study of Community-based Exercise Training in Patients With Moderate COPD

A Controlled Study of Community-based Exercise Training in Patients With Moderate COPD

The effectiveness of clinic-based pulmonary rehabilitation in advanced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is well established, but few data exist for less severe patients treated in alternative settings. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a novel, community-based exercise program was feasible and effective for patients with moderate COPD.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients with moderate COPD and self-reported exercise impairment

Exclusion Criteria:

• current smokers, pulmonary diseases other than COPD, use of supplemental oxygen, musculoskeletal disease that impaired exercise performance and unstable coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure