Effect of pilates method exercise for respiratory function for people with chronic obstructive lung disease during rehabilitation

Abstract

The chronic obstructive lung disease is characterized by the presence and progression of irreversible airflow obstruction which, impairs exchange in lungs and tissues [1]. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) data, approximately 600 million people suffer from chronic obstructive lung disease worldwide [1,5]. The Lithuanian statistic data show that in 2012 about 60 thousand Lithuanian residents had this disease [2,4]. Rehabilitation of patients with lung diseases is proven to be an effective method, especially when commenced early following exacerbation of the disease [3]. Some of the potentially effective rehabilitation methods are pilates exercises that reduce bronchi reactivity and bronchospasm and active breathing exercises which strengthen the breathing muscles, improve expectoration, strengthen breathing muscles and stimulate better heart and blood vessels performance at the same time resulting in better blood circulation in lungs [3,6,7]. Research aim - to determine the effect of Pilates exercise method for the respiratory function for people with obstructive chronic lung disease during rehabilitation. Methods. The study involved 60 patients suffering from chronic obstructive lung disease. The patients were divided into two groups, each containing 30 patients. The groups were labelled as Group I and Group II. The patients were treated from exacerbating COPD at an in-patient institution. Speech-language exercises were applied to Group I whereas Group II patients were doing active breathing and pilates methodical exercises. In addition to the previously mentioned methods both of the groups had traditional rehabilitation methods applied, which includes 15 physical therapy procedures, halotherapy, physiotherapy and water therapy. The objective (spirometry, arterial blood pressure, thorax excursion) and s[...].