Pulmonary rehabilitation improves frailty and gait speed in some ambulatory patients with chronic lung diseases

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the effect of rehabilitation on frailty markers in patients with chronic lung diseases. Methods: Forty-one patients started pulmonary rehabilitation, and 30 patients completed at least 6 weeks of rehabilitation. Gait speed, weight loss, exhaustion, grip strength, and physical activity were assessed at the initial visit, at 6 weeks, and at 12 weeks to determine the frailty status using Fried’s criteria. Results: The study population (53% women) had a mean age of 67 ± 12 years, a mean BMI of 27± 9 kg/m2, and a mean FEV1 of 50% ± 17% of predicted. The average gait speed was 52.9 ± 15.4 m/min; 17% were frail, 61% pre-frail, and 22% robust. Gait speed increased from 52.9 ± 15.4 meters per minute to 61.1 ± 12.9 meters per minute after 6 weeks (P< 0.01 by paired t test). The number of frail patients decreased from 5 to 2 after 6 weeks (P=NS). Conclusions: Gait speed increased in patients with chronic lung diseases with pulmonary rehabilitation. However, the frailty classification improved in some patients and declined in others.