RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this open, prospective, non-controlled study is to evaluate the feasibility and effect of 10 weeks of home-based exercise retraining on a cyclo-ergometer in respiratory patients. METHODS: 75 patients are consecutively referred. 37 patients, (75% COPD), took part in the programme, 38 (51%) did not. Nine dropped out, five had missing data, therefore the analysis is of 23 patients. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in Quality of life (CRQ) (p=0,02), in endurance and in work rate on the bicycle (p<0.001). There is a correlation between the increase in work rate on the bicycle and the improvement in quality of life (p=0.01, r=0.5). When the patients are divided according to the level of improvement in work rate on the cycle-ergometer (mild 0 to 10% improvement; moderate 11 to 49% and strong > 50%) we find that only mild improvement is found in those with a low initial work rate. CONCLUSION: We confirm the effectiveness of home based training, this being feasible in one out of two patients referred. Co-morbidity and the psycho-social situation were the main exclusion factors. The improvement in effort capacity could be an important determinant of quality of life. Cyclo-ergometer could required too great an effort for training more severe patients.