Breathing Control Exercises Delivered in a Group Setting for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Breathing control exercises are an important component of occupational therapy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Delivering these exercises in group settings may enhance their benefits. Therefore, this study assessed the effectiveness of breathing control exercises delivered in a group format to patients with severe COPD remitting from an acute pulmonary exacerbation. This randomized controlled trial of 6 weeks’ duration compared the addition of breathing exercise sessions delivered in a group setting to a standard exercise inpatient rehabilitation program (usual care) versus usual care alone. The standard exercise program consisted of endurance and strength training and therapeutic patient education. The intervention group received, in addition to usual care, 20 sessions of 30 min duration of breathing control exercises in a group setting. The primary outcome was quality of life (Saint George’s Respiratory Questionnaire). Secondary outcomes were the COPD assessment test, modified Borg scale, handgrip strength test, and five-time sit-to-stand test. Thirty-seven patients aged 69 ± 7 years were recruited. After the 6-week period, all outcomes significantly improved and exceeded the minimal clinically important difference in the intervention group only. Between-group changes were significant for each outcome. Conclusions: breathing control exercises in a group setting provide clinically relevant benefits in patients with severe COPD who are remitting from an acute pulmonary exacerbation.