Comparative efficacy of two breath training methods and lower extremity aerobic exercise on amount of respiratory ventilation and quality of life of patients with chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is clinically characterized by productive cough for over three months during two consecutive years. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease includes both emphysema and chronic bronchitis and is the fourth leading cause of death in females and fifth in males. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two methods of pulmonary rehabilitation including breath training and lower extremity aerobic exercise on ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) and quality of life of the patients with chronic bronchitis. This study was an experimental randomized control trial. 71 patients with moderate to severe chronic bronchitis enrolled into the study. 24 patients used breathing exercised, 24 patients performed lower extremity aerobic exercise for pulmonary rehabilitation and other 23 cases were in control group. The duration of the study was 8 weeks. Data were analyzed by means of paired t test, ANOVA test and post hoc LSD. In this study mean ratios of FEV1/FVC and quality of life scores showed no significant differences between the breath training and control groups (p>0.05). But comparison of the mean ratios of FEV1/FVC and the mean values of quality of life scores showed significant differences in the patients who had performed lower extremity aerobic exercise compared to control group (p<0.001). In control group the differences of mean values of FEV1/FVC and life quality scores, before and after study were not significant. Considering the ratio of FEV1/FVC and life quality scores, lower extremity aerobic exercise is more beneficial than breath training methods to the patients with chronic bronchitis.