Journal international de médecine physique et de réadaptation
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Changes in Balance after Rehabilitation Program in Patients with COPD and in Healthy Subjects

Wajdi Mkacher, Zouhair Tabka, Marwa Makki and Yassine Trabelsi

Background: Deficits in balance are increasingly recognized among the important secondary impairments in COPD. Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of rehabilitation program on balance in COPD patients compared to healthy subjects. Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted. The balance of COPD patients and healthy subjects was assessed by the Timed up and go test (TUG), the Tinetti test, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Unipodal stance test (UST) test with measurement of balance confidence using ABC scale. Exercise tolerance was determined from the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Results: We noted a significant difference between the two groups in all measures of balance at baseline. Following the period of PR, it was found no significant difference in the confidence of COPD patients and healthy subjects in their balance. However, for the TUG, BBS score and UST, a statistically significant improvement in the COPD group was found (p<0.001). There is also a modest increase score test TINETTI in this group (p<0.01) but not for the control group after the period of PR. Discussion: Physical activity increases muscle strength and compensate the loss of muscle mass associated with age and causing deficit in balance in COPD patients. Conclusion: PR improves scores of some balance tests, although the clinical effect of these changes remains debatable.