PHYSIOTHERAPY PROGRAM IN ACUTE EXACERBATION OF COPD: EFFICACY OF PHYSIOTHERAPY PROGRAM IN ACUTE EXACERBATION OF COPD WITH AND WITHOUT PREVIOUS HISTORY OF RESPIRATORY FAILURE

Aim - To evaluate the effects of physiotherapy programs on level of oxygenation, dyspnea, functional capacity and perceived health status during hospitalization in COPD exacerbated patients with prior respiratory failure and without prior respiratory failure.Findings - Among the outcomes in the study, changes to key variables including oxygenation (p < 0.05), EQ-5D questionnaire (p < 0.05), functional capacity (p < 0.05) and dyspnea (p < 0.05) were found significant in both the groups but the more significant result was found in AECOPD patients with history of previous respiratory failure group than AECOPD patients without history of previous respiratory failure.Conclusion - The physiotherapy program has a beneficial effect on oxygenation, perceived health status, functional capacity and dyspnoea in AECOPD patients with and without history of previous respiratory failure.