Effects of Mawangdui exercise intervention on the pulmonary function, physical fitness and quality of life in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: A randomised controlled trial

Background: Physical exercise intervention in pulmonary rehabilitation is recommended to increase strength, endurance, and flexibility in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, certain physical intervention may be restrictive to COPD patients, as it induces fatigue and shortness of breath. Mawangdui exercise, a low-to-medium-intensity aerobic exercise, has been gaining popularity in China as an adjuvant physical therapy, particularly for patients with contraindications to exercise, to improve their health. Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of the traditional Chinese Mawangdui exercise for patients with COPD in a mild to moderate stable stage. Methods: A total of 54 COPD patients in stable stage (Mawangdui group, n = 27; control group, n = 27) were enroled for a period of 12-weeks. The Mawangdui group practised the Mawangdui exercise, while the control group maintained daily activities without additional exercise. The outcomes measurements were pulmonary function, exercise capacity, back-leg-chest muscle strength, sit-and-reach flexibility, dyspnoea symptoms, and quality of life. The outcomes were assessed at baseline, 24 h, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks post-intervention. Results: Improvements were observed for Borg CR-10 score, SpO(2), BMI, body fat%, fat mass, flexibility mMRC, and SGRQ scores (p < 0.05) at 12 weeks. At week 12, Mawangdui group showed improved exercise capacity (6MWT mean difference 63.39 m, CI 48.36 - 78.40), back-leg-chest muscle strength (mean difference 5.92 kg, CI -2.57 - -14.41), and dyspnoea (CAT score mean difference -5.50, CI -6.42 - -4.59) in per-protocol population. However, FEV1, FVC, FEV1% pred, and fat-free mass did not show improvements with Mawangdui exercise. Conclusion: COPD patients in stable stage who performed Mawangdui exercise for 12 weeks improved exercise capacity, dyspnoea, muscle strength, flexibility, BMI, body fat%, fat mass and quality of life. Therefore, Mawangdui exercise is recommended for COPD patients in the stable stage to improve physical fitness and quality of life.