The Influence of Different Oxygen Delivery Systems on Exercise Tolerance in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the influence of different types of portable oxygen delivery systems on the exercise tolerance of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） who had received home oxygen therapy （HOT） .

Methods: The study subjects comprised three patients: two patients who were hospitalized due to acute COPD aggravation and then switched to HOT, and one patient who was also hospitalized due to acute COPD aggravation and whose oxygen flow rate was re-measured after exertion. The distance walked during the six-minute walk test （6MWT） and the changes in percutaneous oxygen saturation （SpO₂） were compared in these patients using two types of oxygen delivery systems （wheeled oxygen carrier and walking frame with oxygen tank carrier）, at random. The measurements were performed twice a day for seven days.

Results: The distance walked was longer in all three patients when using the walking frame with the oxygen tank carrier. With regard to the change in SpO₂, the difference between the lowest value and the value obtained when the subjects started walking was calculated. According to the results obtained, the change was not significant in all three subjects when they used the walking frame with an oxygen tank carrier.

Discussion: Use of oxygen delivery systems, such as the walking frame with an oxygen tank carrier, improved the left-right asymmetry posture, supported the upper extremities resulting in a decreased burden on the leg muscles, improved the effectiveness of the accessory respiratory muscles, and enhanced ventilation efficiency at high lung capacity by allowing the trunk to lean forward, which in turn appeared to improve exercise tolerance.