A physical therapy program of 7 to 10 days notably improved the quality of life in COPD patients in a recent study.
It is within this context that the CTS-009 research team at the Physical Therapy Department at UGR is developing the PULMOACTIVE project. The project is funded by the Health and Progress Foundation, Boeghringer Inghelheim and Oximesa.
In the study, a group of 49 COPD patients who suffered from increased effects of the disease due to obesity and were admitted at Virgen de las Nieves Hospital in Granada, received physical therapy treatment during their stay.
The researchers showed that a brief exercise program (between 7 and 10 days) can minimize the effects of being hospitalized and improve the physical abilities of COPD patients. It can also increase functionality in daily life. The exercises were focused primarily on the lower extremities using elastic bands, pedalling and exercises while seated and while balancing on one foot.
