The effect of 3-week sanatorium rehabilitation on exercise capacity and subjective perception of health of patients with asthma and COPD

Background Asthma and COPD are common diseases of the respiratory system. An important element in the medical treatment of these patients is physiotherapy, focused on the reduction of symptoms and improvement of quality of life. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the response of patients with asthma and COPD on a three-week sanatorium rehabilitation in terms of exercise capacity and perception of health. Material/Methods COPD group (n = 17; age 52 +/- 3 years); asthma group (n = 20; age 55 +/- 5 years). During the three-week rehabilitation, patients used breathing and group exercises, inhalation, magnetic therapy, crenotherapy, Sollux lamp irradiation, massage. Exercise capacity was evaluated by 6-minute walk test, while health status by VAS. Results After rehabilitation, patients with COPD and asthma much better (p <= 0.05) evaluated their health. Distance covered in the walk test in patients with COPD increased by 9 m, and in patients with asthma by 17.5 m (p <= 0.05). Blood pressure after test was lower in both groups (p <= 0.05). There was observed a decrease in heart rate, both at rest and exercise-induced, in patients with COPD and asthma (p <= 0.05). Conclusions The three-week comprehensive rehabilitation led to an increase in exercise capacity and health self-assessment of patients with both COPD and asthma.