Effect of different exercise programs on lung function in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A network meta-analysis of RCTs

Author: Susana Priego-Jiménez1, Iván Cavero-Redondo2, Carlos Pascual-Morena3, Irene Martínez-García3, Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno4, Celia Álvarez-Bueno5
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Hospital Virgen de la Luz, 16002 Cuenca, Spain. <sup>2</sup> Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Talca 340000, Chile; Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain. Electronic address: ivan.cavero@uclm.es. <sup>3</sup> Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain. <sup>4</sup> Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Talca 340000, Chile; Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain. <sup>5</sup> Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain; Universidad Politécnica y Artística del Paraguay, Asunción 2024, Paraguay.
Conference/Journal: Ann Phys Rehabil Med
Date published: 2023 Dec 20
Other: Volume ID: 67 , Issue ID: 2 , Pages: 101792 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.rehab.2023.101792. , Word Count: 296


Background:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has systemic consequences and causes structural abnormalities throughout the respiratory system. It is associated with a high clinical burden worldwide.

Aim:
A network meta-analysis was performed to determine the effects of exercise programs on lung function measured by forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), FEV1 as a percentage of the predicted value (FEV1%) and forced vital capacity in people with COPD.

Methods:
A literature search was performed to March 2023. Randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of exercise programs on lung function in people with COPD were included. A standard pairwise meta-analysis and a network meta-analysis for direct and indirect comparisons between intervention and control/nonintervention groups were carried out to calculate the standardized mean difference and 95 % CI. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation tool was used to assess the quality of the evidence.

Results:
35 studies with a total sample of 2909 participants were included in this network meta-analysis. The highest standardized mean difference was for active mind body movement therapy programs versus control for FEV1 and FEV1% (0.71; 95 % CI 0.32 to1.09; and 0.36; 95 % CI 0.15 to 0.58, respectively), and pulmonary rehabilitation+active mind body movements therapies versus control for forced vital capacity (0.45; 95 % CI 0.07 to 0.84).

Conclusions:
active mind body movement therapy programs were the most effective type of exercise program to improve lung function measured by FEV1 and FEV1%; pulmonary rehabilitation+active mind body movements therapies had the greatest effects on FVC in people with COPD. Exercise programs in which the abdominal muscles are strengthened could improve lung emptying, helping to overcome airway resistance in people with COPD.

Keywords: Active mind-body movements therapies; COPD; FEV1; FVC; Lung function; Meta-analysis; Physical activity; Pulmonary rehabilitation; Systematic review.

PMID: 38128349 DOI: 10.1016/j.rehab.2023.101792