| Objectives: To explore the application value of breathing trainer for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in stable period. Methods: Forty patients with stable COPD were randomly divided into observation group and control group with 20 cases in each group. The two groups received routine medication. The observation group was given breathing trainer for pulmonary rehabilitation training. Data of modified British Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC), COPD Assessment Test (CAT), 6 minute walking test (6MWT), lung function(FEV1%pred), C reactive protein (CRP) and interleukins 6 (IL 6) were collected and analyzed before and 4, 24 weeks after use of breathing trainer. Results: After pulmonary rehabilitation training, mMRC, CAT, CRP and IL 6 in the observation group were significantly lower than those before treatment (P<0.05) after use for 4 weeks. After use for 24 weeks, no further decrease was observed in mMRC and CAT, while CRP and IL 6 showed a continuous decline. The mMRC, CAT, CRP and IL 6 in the observation group after use for 4 and 24 weeks were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). In the control group, mMRC, CAT, CRP and IL 6 increased continuously after use for 4 and 24 weeks (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the two groups at each time point (P<0.05). In the further analysis of variance of repeated measurement design, both grouping and time factors had an effect on the above results, that was, there was interaction effect. The 6MWT and FEV1%pred in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group after use for 4 (P<0.05), but no further increasing trend was observed after continuous use of 24 weeks. The 6MWT and FEV1%pred in the observation group at 4th and 24th week of treatment were significantly increased as compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). The 6MWT and FEV1%pred in the control group decreased continuously at 4th and 24th week after treatment (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the two groups at each time point (P<0.05). In the further analysis of variance of repeated measurement design, the time factor was the main factor, which had an effect on the above results. Conclusion: Clinically, the pulmonary rehabilitation using breathing trainer for patients with COPD in stable period can improve the patient's symptoms, laboratory examination results and lung function in the short term. But the effect is not good in long term. |
