Effects of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Cognitive Function in Patients With Severe to Very Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Effects of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Cognitive Function in Patients With Severe to Very Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a leading cause of mortality worldwide.

It is a systemic disease which includes pulmonary, cardiac, muscular, digestive and cognitive impairments.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a symptomatic treatment to reduce dyspnea and functional incapacity. However, it effects on cognitive dysfunction are not well known.

The aim of this study is to assess the effects of a comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program on cognitive dysfunction in patients with severe to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment tool.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age > 18years;
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stade III to IV;
• Referred for pulmonary rehabilitation.

Non Inclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy or likely to be;
• History of psychiatric, neuro-vascular, cognitive disease or cranial trauma;
• Active alcoholism;
• Guardianship;
• Hospitalisation for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the previous 4 weeks;

Exclusion Criteria:

• Interruption of the pulmonary rehabilitation program > 15 days;
• Disruption of the training before the 18th session;
• Less than 18 sessions in four month.