Chest
Original ResearchCOPDProgressive Resistance Exercise Improves Muscle Strength and May Improve Elements of Performance of Daily Activities for People With COPD: A Systematic Review
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Materials and Methods
The methods used were based on those previously described in the original systematic review.9 However, a few alterations to the review methods, such as the exclusion of noncontrolled trials and review articles, were made and are described. In order to identify new trials of progressive resistance exercise for people with COPD, the original search strategy was applied, with the time period limited from March 2003 to May 2006 for an initial review update, and then May 2006 to April 2008. The
Results
Figure 1 demonstrates the search yield for trials included in the review. Four additional trials20, 21, 22, 23 from the March 2003 to May 2006 search period and six additional trials24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 from the May 2006 to April 2008 search period were included. Accounting for the exclusion of the single group trial included in the earlier review,30 there was a total of 18 included trials.
Discussion
The results from 18 controlled clinical trials20-29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 in the systematic review update confirmed that progressive resistance exercise can lead to appreciable increases in arm and leg muscle strength for people with COPD. Given that muscle weakness is a common problem in this population,4, 41, 42 progressive resistance exercise represents a beneficial treatment for improving muscle strength. Moreover, improvements in muscle strength can be obtained when progressive
Conclusion
The inclusion of a large number of more recent trials in the updated systematic review provides clinicians with a more comprehensive understanding of progressive resistance exercise outcomes and factors influencing implementation within the rehabilitation setting. This review confirmed that progressive resistance exercise can produce increases in arm and leg muscle strength, and suggested that the performance of tasks such as stair climbing and rising from sitting may improve after progressive
Acknowledgments
Author contributions: Dr. O'Shea contributed to conception, design, data acquisition, data analysis and interpretation, and drafting of the manuscript. Dr. Taylor contributed to design, data analysis and interpretation, and revision of the manuscript for intellectual content. Dr. Paratz contributed to the design, data analysis and revision of the manuscript for intellectual content. All authors have approved the final version of the submitted manuscript.
Financial/nonfinancial disclosures: The
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