Muscle energy techniques in patients with COPD : a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Physiotherapy plays a major role in long-term management of COPD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 4-week muscle energy technique programme on pulmonary function measures, functional endurance capacity, chest wall mobility and ADLs in patients with COPD.

Method: A parallel-group, randomised controlled trial was adopted. 108 participants with COPD were recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. The intervention group received MET interventions, three-times weekly for 4 consecutive weeks, while the control group continued with their standard medical treatment. The study is clinically registered (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04773860).

Results: Statistically significant improvements in pulmonary function (p < 0.001), chest measurements (p < 0.001) and ADLs (p < 0.001) were observed for participants in the intervention group when compared to baseline measures. Clinical but not statistically significant improvements in the 6MWT were also noted (p ¼ 0.08), outcomes which were not observed in participants enrolled in the control group.

Conclusions: This study concludes that METs can be used as an adjunct with other non-pharmacological treatments for patients with COPD to help manage their shortness of breath, improve their respiratory function and hence, as a result, improve their activities of daily living.