The effect of single-limb exercises on functional exercise capacity, pulmonary function and dyspnea in patients with COPD.

Background: Aeorobic exercise is an essential component of the pulmonary rehabilitation program for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Single-limb exercises are a type of aeorobic exercise that aims to increase patient tolerance by reducing the workload of the respiratory system.
Objektives: The aim of our systematic review was to determine the effects of single-limb exercises on pulmonary function, dyspnea, fatigue, and muscle dysfunction in patients with COPD.
Methods: Searches were performed using PubMed, Pedro, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science databases. Publications from the beginning to 2023 searched. Studies were selected by two authors by scanning the title, Mesh terms abstract in Rayyan QCRI software. Selected studies were subjected to full-text screening by applying selection criteria. Randomized controlled, case-control, cohort studies were included.
Results: In the first screening according to mesh terms, 1011 articles were identified. After the screening criteria and duplicate articles were evaluated, 10 articles were included. This systematic review includes seven case-control, one randomized control trial (RCT), one cross-sectional, and one non-randomized study. A total of 157 patients with COPD received treatment in these studies. According to the Bakker scale, single-limb exercises have been shown to improve pulmonary function with strong evidence. There is strong evidence that single-limb exercises have no effect on dyspnea and fatigue in COPD patients. There is limited evidence that single-limb exercises have an effect on functional exercise capacity.
Conclusion: Single-limb exercise can advised in terms of improving pulmonary function in patients with COPD. Current systematic review has found single limb exercise has no effect on dyspnea and fatigue perception. No side effects were reported in the studies and these exercises can be considered safe.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest There is no conflict of interest current study.
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