Efficacy of exercise treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review

Objective: To review the efficacy of exercise treatments on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Data sources: PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Ebscohost, SPORTDiscus, ProQuest, Web of Science. Review methods: A systematic review was performed to identify the relevant studies published from 2011 to 2023. Studies were selected using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 5170 articles were retrieved and assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. The risk of bias in individual studies was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results: A total of 38 eligible studies were included. Eight studies evaluated the effects of Tai Chi, followed by Liuzijue (five studies) and yoga (three studies). The duration of the exercise programmes ranged from 8 weeks to 3 years, and the frequency was between 2 and 7 times a week. Exercise sessions lasted between 20 and 90 min. Low-intensity exercise improved lung function after six months. Whole-body exercise improved dyspnea more than local exercise. Water-based exercise improved physical endurance more than land exercise, and quality of life was unaffected by long-term exercise. Conclusion: This systematic review highlights the benefit of exercise treatments as a potential adjunct treatment for COPD patients.