| Objective: To investigate the effects of breathing training combined with whole-body exercise training on pulmonary function and exercise endurance of patients with pneumoconiosis. Methods: Pneumoconiosis patients (n=60) were randomly divided into rehabilitation group (n=30) and control group (n=30). Both groups were treated with routine symptomatic treatment, and rehabilitation group was given exercise training including treadmill exercise and breathing training. Treadmill exercise was 20 min per day and not less than 5 times per week. Breathing training, which was taken in lying, sitting, standing and walking, was twice per day and not less than 20 min per time for 8 weeks. Indices of pulmonary function were assessed by vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and exercise tolerance (6 minutes walking test) before and after treatment. Results: After two months, pulmonary function and exercise endurance were significantly improved in the rehabilitation group as compared with those before training and control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the control group before and after training. Conclusion: Exercise training can improve pulmonary function and exercise endurance in patients with pneumoconiosis and enhance the quality of life. |
