How sustainable is strength training in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

Objectives To examine whether the benefits from strength training are sustained after an initial training period in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Data sources MEDLINE (1966 to May 2008), CENTRAL (1949 to May 2008) and PEDro (1929 to May 2008). Review methods Criteria for inclusion in this review were that study participants had COPD and undertook in intervention that included strength training. A period Of follow-up (>= 12 weeks) after strength training and a measure Of Muscle strength taken at this time were required. All experimental study designs were accepted. and the publication language had to be English. Reviews were excluded. The PEDro scale was used to assess the methodological quality of studies. Results Only three eligible studies were identified (PEDro scores ranged from 5 to 7). Two studies found that the benefits from strength training were still evidental at 12 weeks and 12 months after an initial 12-week and 6-month training period, respectively. The other study found no difference between the control and training groups 12 weeks after a 12-week training intervention. Only one Study discussed continuation of strength training during the follow-up period. The results of these studies could not be pooled for meta-analysis. as the study interventions and assessments were heterogeneous. Conclusion Despite an extensive search of the literature. only, three articles were identified. Therefore, the long-term effects of strength training remain unknown. Further trials examining the sustainability of strength training With homogeneous Populations. training, programmes and assessments are warranted. This would enable the pooling of results for meta-analysis, and provide clearer recommendations to pulmonary rehabilitation practitioners. (C) 2008 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.