Steinsbekk and Lomundal investigated the long-term effects three years after the end of a two-year pulmonary rehabilitation program, with three weekly one-hour exercise sessions and 32 hours of education in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The method used consisted of an open prospective observational study with 30 patients. Outcome measures were quality of life (QoL) (St George's Respiratory Questionnaire, SGRQ), physical exercise performance (6-min walking test, 6MWT), self-management abilities, lung function, hospitalization, and self-reported exercise. FEV(1) at baseline was 40.1% of predicted. The participants had statistical and clinically significant decreases in SGRQ (improved QoL) and increases in 6MWT during the program. They maintained the level of health they achieved during the program in the next three years, with a stable SGRQ scores and 6MWT. Eighty percent of the participants had exercised at least 30 min three times a week from the end of the program to year five.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: The authors concluded that participants maintained their achieved level of health, improved their lung function slightly, and continued to exercise regularly three years after the end of the program.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A PATIENT: The long-term data gathered in this study is impressive. It suggests that if you have COPD, the use of self-management skills combined with regular exercise could improve not only your quality of life, but increase the length of your life.

A Steinsbekk, B Lomundal. Three-year follow-up after a two-year comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program. Chronic Respiratory Disease, 2009;6:5-11.