Volume 18 Issue 2 June 2009Original Research
Swimming pool-based exercise as pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD patients in primary care: feasibility and acceptability
Pages 90-94
*Susan Raea, Patrick Whiteb
a
Community Specialist Practitioner, Sydenham Green Group Practice, Sydenham, London, UK
b
Senior Lecturer, Department of General Practice and Primary Care, King's College London School of Medicine, London, UK
Received 25 July 2007 • Accepted 23 June 2008 • Online 9 September 2008
Abstract
AIM: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of swimming pool-based exercise as pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for COPD sufferers.
METHOD: 101 patients with mild or moderate COPD registered with a South London general practice were invited to a swimming poolbased
PR programme. Participants completed spirometry, the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ-SR), and the Incremental Shuttle
Walk Test (ISWT) before and after the programme. A qualitative interview was used to assess participants’ views.
RESULTS: 24 patients (24%) expressed interest; 18 were recruited and 16 (16%) completed the PR programme. Their mean age was 69
yrs, seven were female, and mean % predicted FEV1 was 59%. The mean number of sessions attended was 10.6 out of 12. Significant
improvements in dyspnoea score (difference 4.9; 95% CI -8.27 to -1.48) and walking distance (difference 32 metres; 95% CI -52.63 to
-11.36) were observed, and all other findings were in the direction of improvement. Most patients enjoyed being in the water, were
happy to expose themselves in swimsuits, overcame their fears, valued learning about COPD and socialising with fellow sufferers, and
were positive about their physical improvement.
CONCLUSION: The swimming pool is a feasible and positive alternative venue for PR for COPD patients in primary care.
Keywords
COPD, pulmonary rehabilitation, exercise, swimming pool-based, feasibility, acceptibility, primary health care
* Corresponding author. Susan Rae Tel: +44 (0)7870 433256 Email: sneeda@hotmail.com | |
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