Performance in the Glittre-ADL Test is Associated with the Pulmonary Function of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

The relationship between lung function and performance in some functional tests, as the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and Glittre-ADL test (TGlittre) are still discrepant in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to verify which test better correlates and is better explained by the pulmonary function, and which test better discriminates patients regarding the severity of the disease. Seventy-four patients with moderate to very severe COPD (54 men; 66 ± 9 years; FEV1: 37.2 ± 14.3%pred) were included. Spirometry, 6MWT and TGlittre were performed. The results showed weak to moderate correlation between pulmonary function variables and 6MWT (0.36 ≤ r ≤ 0.45) and TGlittre (-0.44 ≤ r ≤ -0.53). In patients with performance of ≤400 m in the 6MWT, a strong correlation was observed between TGlittre with FEV1 (%pred) (r = -0.82; p < .001). The pulmonary function variable that better predict the functional tests performance was FEV1 (R2 = 0.17). Both functional tests were able to discriminate patients with COPD GOLD 4 from the other classifications. When compared to GOLD 2 patients, GOLD 4 patients presented higher time spent on TGlittre (p < .001). When compared to GOLD 3 patients, GOLD 4 patients had higher TGlittre (p = .001). No statistical differences were found in the 6MWT between GOLD 3 and 4, as well as between GOLD 2 and 3. In conclusion, the pulmonary function presents stronger correlations and better explain the variability of TGlittre than of the 6MWT, especially in patients with greater functional impairment. The TGlittre seems to better discriminate patients with COPD regarding the severity of lung function.

Modified Medical Research Council and COPD Assessment Test Cutoff Points.

BACKGROUND: The modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) are assessment instruments associated with level of physical activity of daily living (PADL) in patients with COPD. This study aimed to identify mMRC and CAT cutoff points to discriminate sedentary behavior and PADL level of subjects with COPD and verify whether these cutoff points differentiate pulmonary function, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), functional status, and mortality index in subjects with COPD. METHODS: Subjects (N = 131, FEV1: 36.7 ± 16.1% predicted) were assessed for lung function, mMRC, CAT, HRQOL, functional status, and mortality index. PADL was monitored using a triaxial accelerometer, and subjects were classified as sedentary/nonsedentary (cutoff point of 8.5 h/d in PADL < 1.5 metabolic equivalent of task [MET]), physically active/inactive (cutoff point of 80 min/d in PADL ≥ 3 METs), and with/without severe physical inactivity (cutoff point of 4,580 steps/d), according to variables provided by accelerometer. RESULTS: ROC curve indicated mMRC cutoff point of ≥ 2 (P < .05) for physical inactivity (sensitivity = 66%, specificity = 56%, AUC = 0.62), severe physical inactivity (sensitivity = 81%, specificity = 66%, AUC = 0.76), and sedentary behavior (sensitivity = 61%, specificity = 70%, AUC = 0.65). The identified CAT cutoff points were ≥ 16 and ≥ 20, considering severe physical inactivity (sensitivity = 76%, specificity = 54%, AUC = 0.69, P < .001) and sedentary behavior (sensitivity = 51%, specificity = 90%, AUC = 0.71, P = .001), respectively. Subjects who had mMRC ≥ 2 and CAT ≥ 16 or ≥ 20 presented worse pulmonary function, HRQOL, functional status, and mortality index compared with those who scored mMRC < 2 and CAT <16 or < 20. CONCLUSIONS: mMRC cutoff point of ≥ 2 is recommended to discriminate PADL level and sedentary behavior, whereas CAT cutoff points of ≥ 16 and ≥ 20 discriminated severe physical inactivity and sedentary behavior, respectively. These cutoff points differentiated subjects with COPD regarding all the outcomes assessed in this study.

Programa de treinamento muscular em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica grave / Muscle training program in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objetivo: Este estudo que visou analisar os efeitos de um programa de treinamento muscular através da EENM de membros inferiores (MMII) e exercícios ativos resistidos de MMSS em pacientes portadores de Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica (DPOC) grave. Métodos: A amostra foi constituída por 5 sujeitos com idade média de 65,2 ± 6,09 anos. As avaliações iniciais e finais, compreenderam os testes: uma repetição máxima; senta-levanta; perimetria das coxas; caminhada de seis minutos; questionário St George; escala de dispneia MRC; índice de BODE. A intervenção foi realizada três vezes/semana, totalizando 18 sessões de 30 min de Estimulação elétrica neuromuscular (EENM) e 30 min de treinamento membros superiores, com uso de diagonais do Método Kabat. Os parâmetros da EENM foram: frequência 50 Hz, Ton 6s, Toff 8s, rampa de subida 2s, rampa de descida 2s, largura de pulso 400 µs e intensidade conforme a tolerância do paciente, aumentada em 1 a 5 mA a cada dia. Resultados: Mostraram aumento da força muscular (p = 0,01) e da resistência muscular (p = 0,01). Verificou-se uma tendência à melhora na qualidade de vida (p = 0,16) e na aptidão cardiorrespiratória (p = 0,11). Conclusão: A associação de EENM e exercícios com diagonais pode ser um recurso valioso para o tratamento dos pacientes com DPOC grave. Entretanto, sugere-se pesquisas com um maior número amostral para comprovar seus benefícios

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of a muscle training program with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for lower limbs (LL) and active resisted exercises for upper limbs (UL) for patients with severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Methods: With a sample of 5 subjects (65.2 ± 6.09 years), the initial and final evaluations were: One-Repetition-Maximum testing; Sit-to-stand test; perimetry of the thigh; 6-minute walk test; Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire; Medical Research Council scale for dyspnea and the BODE index. The intervention was performed three times a week and was composed of 18 sessions of 30-minute NMES followed by 30 minutes of exercise for the UL based on the diagonal Kabat method. The NMES parameters were: 50Hz of frequency, 6s on and 8s off, increase slope of 2s and decrease slope of 2s, pulse width of 400µs, and intensity defined as patient tolerance and increased from 1 to 5mA each day. Results: The results have shown an increase in muscle strength (p = 0.01) and of muscle resistance (p = 0.01). There was an improvement tendency in the quality of life (p = 0.16) and in the cardiorespiratory fitness (p = 0.11). Conclusion: The association of physical exercises with diagonals and NMES can be a beneficial resource for the treatment of patients with severe COPD. It is suggested, however, the need for new researches with a wider sample size for assuring these benefits