Effect of Unsupported Upper Extremity Exercise Training on Symptoms & Quality of Life in Patients with COPD Gadesha Arti1, Bhise Anjali2 1Lecturer, Shri K K Sheth Physiotherapy College, Rajkot 2Principal, Govt Physiotherapy College, Ahemdabad Online published on 28 September, 2015. Abstract Introduction COPD is preventable and treatable pulmonary disease with significant extrapulmonary effects. Its manifestations are dyspnea, fatigue, airflow obstruction, cachexia, skeletal muscle weakness, osteopenia & reduced health related quality of life (HRQOL). Unsupported upper limb activities are most commonly causing the dyspnea & are the major limiting factor in ADL in COPD patients. In Pulmonary rehabilitation upper limb exercises are recommended but more importance is given to lower limb exercises till date & no specific evidence is available regarding the type & extent of upper limb exercises. Aims & Objective To determine effects of unsupported upper extremity exercises on symptoms & quality of life in patients with COPD Methodology An Interventional study was done with 40 subjects who fulfilled inclusion & exclusion criteria and were then randomly divided into two groups A&B (20 in each). Group A participants were given pulmonary rehabilitation and Group B participants were given 5 different unsupported upper limb exercise along with PR, thrice a week for 6 weeks. Data at the baseline & at the end of 6 weeks were collected using outcome measures i.e. 6 Minute Walk Distance (6MWD), Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) total score and Unsupported Upper Limb Exercise (UULEx) test total score. Study was conducted at Govt Physiotherapy College, Ahemdabad. Result Statistical analysis of 36 subjects (4 dropped out-2 from each group) was done using graph pad prism (version 5.03). Significant improvement was found in 6MWD (p<0.0001) & CCQ score (p<0.0001) in both group & significant improvement in UULEx test found in group B (p<0.0001), but not in group A (p= 0.8243) at the end of 6 weeks. No significant difference in improvement found in 6MWD (P=0.3429) & CCQ score (P=0.7780) score, but significant difference in improvement found in UULEx test duration (P<0.0001) between groups after 6 weeks. Conclusion Significant difference in improvement found in UULEx test duration suggests improvement in symptoms (dypnea & arm fatigue) & arm endurance. But the difference found in 6MWD & CCQ score is not significant, so it doesn't reflect any additional effect of unsupported upper extremity exercises on Quality Of Life in COPD patients along with Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Top Keywords COPD, Pulmonary rehabilitation, HRQOL, 6MWD, CCQ, UUL Ex test. Top |