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. 2020;99(5):409-416.
doi: 10.1159/000506816. Epub 2020 Apr 9.

Effectiveness of Energy Conservation Techniques in Patients with COPD

Ann Sylvia Louise Wingårdh  1   2 , Carina Göransson  3 , Sven Larsson  4 , Frode Slinde  5 , Lowie E G W Vanfleteren  6   7
Affiliations

Effectiveness of Energy Conservation Techniques in Patients with COPD

Ann Sylvia Louise Wingårdh et al. Respiration. 2020.

Abstract

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) might suffer from severe dyspnea, which importantly impacts on the performance of activities of daily living (ADL). Patient training of energy conservation techniques (ECTs) might be useful to improve the tolerance and execution of these ADL, but objective studies evaluating the effect of teaching ECTs on the metabolic equivalent of task (MET) in patients with COPD are sparse.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that practicing ECTs after a 2-week ECT teaching period would reduce the energy expenditure (MET) in performing an activity in patients with severe COPD.

Methods: Energy expenditure was assessed with a gas exchange system (OxyconTM Mobile) during one out of five standardized ADL before and after a 2-week intervention period in which ECTs were taught. These ECTs comprised a good breathing technique, an ergonomic way of performing the activity, and the use of assistive devices.

Results: Thirty-two patients with COPD (mean FEV1: 39 ± 14%; female: n = 18; age: 68 ± 7 years) were included. A significantly lower MET (2.3 ± 0.6 to 2.1 ± 0.5; p < 0.05) and less desaturation (89.7 ± 5.2 vs. 91.1 ± 5.5% HbO2; p < 0.05) were seen while performing the same activity after the intervention. However, there was no significant difference in the time spent on the task performed (6.0 ± 3.9 vs. 6.7 ± 4.0 min; p > 0.05).

Conclusions: A 2-week educative program on ECTs successfully reduces the energy spent for performing ADL relevant to the patient without any significant increase in the time spent on the activity.

Keywords: Breathing exercises; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Metabolic equivalent; Occupational therapy; Work simplification.

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Conflict of interest statement

A.S.L.W., C.G., S.L., and F.S. declare no conflicts of interest. L.E.G.W.V. reports personal fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, Chiesi, Novartis, PulmonX, Menarini and GlaxoSmithKline outside the submitted work.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study design and flow chart. ECT, energy conservation technique; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; mMRC, modified Medical Research Council.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Flow chart of the subjects included in and excluded from the study.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Frequency of activities of daily living chosen by the patients, stratified for gender.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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