FEASIBILITY OF SWIMMING AS THE EXERCISE IN PRIMARY CARE PULMONARY REHABILITATION FOR COPD.

 

Susan Rae, Bsc. Community Specialist Practioner, (Practice Nurse). Sydenham

Green Group Practice, 26, Holmshaw Close,SE26 4 TH sneeda@hotmail.com

02086596610.

 

Dr. Patrick White, Senior lecturer, Department of General Practice and

Primary Care, Guy's Kings and St Thomas School of Medicine, Kings College

London. 5 Lambeth Walk, London SE11 6SP. patrick.white@kcl.ac.uk.

02078484188

 

Introduction

People with COPD may find exercise in water easier. (1) In primary care swimming pools may be more accessible venues for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) than gyms. We report a pilot study to assess the feasibility of a swimming pool as the exercise venue for COPD PR.

Method

101 people with mild to moderate COPD in a group practice were invited to swimming pool based PR. Participants completed before and after shuttle walk tests, spirometry, quality of life assessment (Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire - CRQ), and qualitative interview assessment.

Results

26 people expressed interest 18 were recruited and 16 completed 12 sessions in a 6 weeks PR program. 7 females and 9 males, average age 69 years (57 -85), mean   FEV1 1.56 (0.90-2.48), FVC mean 1.5 (1.48-3.74) and FEV1/FVC% 57.5 (44-70). Mean CRQ scores improved but mean shuttle walk distance was the same. Subjects were highly positive about the experience with 12 still maintaining weekly swimming pool exercise six weeks after study.

Conclusion

Exercise in water as part of PR in primary care is a feasible and acceptable alternative to gym based exercise in mild to moderate COPD.

 

 (1) Wadell K, et al. High intensity physical group training in water--an effective training modality for patients with COPD. Respir Med 2004 98(5):428-38.

 

 

 

Back to Abstracts Menu