Effects of upper extremity aerobic exercise training on oxygen consumption, exercise capacity, dyspnea and quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

• Published in: Heart & lung 2020-09, Vol.49 (5), p.564-571
• Main Authors: Yılmaz, Burcu Camcıoğlu, Güçlü, Meral Boşnak, Keleş, Müşerrefe Nur, Taçoy, Gülten Aydoğdu, Çengel, Atiye
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerobic exercise; Dyspnea - etiology; Exercise; Exercise Test; Exercise Therapy; Exercise Tolerance; Humans; Oxygen Consumption; Prospective Studies; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension; Quality of Life; Upper Extremity
• ISSN: 0147-9563; 1527-3288
• DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2020.04.006

•Upper-extremity training is a safe intervention in pulmonary arterial hypertension.•Upper extremity aerobic exercise training improves oxygen consumption.•Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension gained awareness with training. Pulmonary and extrapulmonary impairments are prevalent in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) which is a rare, chronic and progressive disease. To investigate the effects of upper extremity aerobic exercise training on exercise capacity, oxygen consumption, dyspnea and quality of life in patients with PAH. In a prospective, randomized controlled, double-blinded study, eleven patients in training group applied upper extremity aerobic exercise training (50–80% of maximal heart rate), 15–45 min/day, 3 days a week for 6 weeks and 11 patients in control group alternating active upper extremity exercises for the same period. Exercise capacity evaluated using six minute walk test (6MWT), oxygen consumption simultaneously measured during 6MWT using a portable instrument, dyspnea modified Borg scale and Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale and quality of life Short Form 36 Health Survey, before and after the exercise training. Baseline characteristics of groups were similar (p>0.05). Dyspnea (p