Respiratory Response to BiPAP Aided Upper Limb Exercise in Hypercapanic COPD Patients

Abstract

Study design: Experimental study design Background: Application of inspiratory support, through proportional assisted ventilation, or continuous positive airways pressure ventilation, may potentially lead to enhanced training intensity. Therapies that are aimed to enhance physical activity levels have the potential to benefit patient group. However, beneficial effects of BiPAP aided performance of upper limb activities have been poorly documented. Purpose of the study: To investigate the beneficial effects of BiPAP aided performance of upper limb activities along with oxygen therapy in improving gas exchange, fatigue and dyspnoea in Hypercapnic COPD patients. Method: 30 Hypercapanic COPD patients were selected for both groups. Subjects in group A performed 20 minutes upper limb activity regimen without BiPAP where as subjects in group B performed the same regimen with BiPAP. Subjects underwent ABG analysis before and immediately after intervention. Results: Within Groups analysis showed that there was a significant rise in dyspnoea, fatigue and Pa CO 2 scores in both groups (p<0.001). PaO 2 and pH scores showed significant reduction in group A whereas there was a significant increase in PaO 2 score and a decrease in pH scores in group B. Between groups analysis showed significantly higher rise in dyspnoea, fatigue, PaCO 2 in Group A as compared to that in Group B (p≤0.05). pH scores showed significant reduction in group A as compared to that in Group B (p≤0.001).There was significantly higher rise in PaO 2 score in Group B as compared to Group A (p≤0.001). Conclusion: The results yielded a clinically significant improvement in patients' blood gas exchange parameters and less increase in dyspnoea and fatigue in BiPAP aided Hypercapanic patients.