Strength training effects on function within Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effect of strength training on functional outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a controlled, prospective trial
IRAS ID
221984
Contact name
Chris Swindale
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UCL
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
researchregistry2081 , Research Registry
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 27 days
Research summary
This prospective, controlled experimental trial will investigate whether a prescribed, functional strength training programme has any effect on exercise tolerance and health related quality of life for those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) when compared to a usual Pulmonary Rehabilitation course. Current guidelines are clear regarding aerobic exercise training, though there is currently no evidence regarding functional changes following strength training in the COPD population, particularly in relation to the upper limbs.
Participants will be recruited to the study from those who have been referred to the pulmonary rehabilitation programme run by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. They will undergo the usual pre-course assessment to establish their current health status and exercise ability. This process lasts approximately 45-60 minutes per participant. Assessments are repeated following the six week course.
Participants will be split into either the control group or treatment group. The control group will receive usual Pulmonary Rehabilitation, which comprises of 12 sessions over six weeks, each having an hour long exercise session followed by an hour long education and discussion session. The exercise session consists of a warm up; up to 30 minutes aerobic exercises; strengthening exercises which are not prescribed based on any objective measure, rather an “educated guess” made by the clinician and progressed as the participant feels able; and a cool down. The treatment group will receive the same format of exercise and education for the same number of sessions. The strength training aspect will be the only difference. The exercises in the current programme will be replaced by a set of functional exercises, including squats, lunges, lat pull downs and an upper limb functional task, which have been prescribed and progressed according the each participants’ current strength.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/YH/0184
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jun 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion