This study evaluates the effects of a nasal restriction device for inspiratory muscle training (FeelBreathe) after 8 weeks of exercise intervention on exercise capacity, quality of life, dyspnea and inspitarotory muscle strength in patients with stable COPD. Participants were divided in three groups: 1) exercise intervention using the Feelbreathe® device (FB group), 2) exercise intervention with oronasal breathing without FB (ONB group) and 3) no participation in the exercise intervention as control group (CG).
The Feelbreathe® device, tested in the investigator's study can be used in static and dynamic situations and is a nasal ventilatory flow restriction device made by a strip of hypoallergenic material (3M Spain, S.A. Medical Specialties / O.E.M.) that is placed and adhered under the nostrils impairing the free pass of air through the nose by producing resistance to flow. Depend on the size or/and porosity of the device, the inspiratory process is more or less difficult. It can be used while performing dynamic exercise or doing daily living activities. The Feelbreathe® device (FB) has been authorized by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products for application on COPD patients (Expedient 521/15/EC. AEMPS-Madrid-Spain-Patent Nº: P200902402).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
16
Participants carried out a supervised RP for 8 weeks, 3 days per week. The training sessions lasted 60 minutes and included a warning up phase, the main phase and a recovery phase. After each session, Borg's perceived exertion was measured. The Rehabilitation Program (RP) included aerobic exercise on cycle ergometer and on treadmill (progressing since 10' to 30' and since 40 to 75% of the reserve heart rate (RHR) or 6-7 score based on Borg's perceived exertion), strengthening of lower and upper limb muscles groups, breathing exercises (pursed lip breathing, diaphragmatic and abdominal breathing and diaphragmatic mobility) and finally stretching exercises. In the FB group, for restricted nasal breathing, at the beginning of the training program, the small size device was used (4 mm). The size of the device was progressively increasing according to the patient adaptation to the 5 or 6 mm device, depending on the score on Borg's perceived exertion scale.
Oxygen uptake during incremental test to exhaustion on treadmill
mL/min
Time frame: 8 WEEKS
Ventilation during incremental test to exhaustion on treadmill
L/min
Time frame: 8 WEEKS
dyspnea scale
mMRC (Modified Medical Research Council) Dyspnea Scale. Values from 0 (better) to 4 (worse) about disability attributable to breathlessness
Time frame: 8 WEEKS
The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) is a questionnaire for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score measures the impact that COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is having on the wellbeing and daily life of the patient. Score from 0 (better) to 40 (worse) about the impact of COPD symptoms on patients' overall health.
Time frame: 8 WEEKS
exercise capacity using the distance walked in the six minutes walking test (6MWT)
distance measured in meters
Time frame: 8 WEEKS
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