In 2013, Kurzaj, et. al., conducted study about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) which patients hospitalized for symptom exacerbation may find new hope in specialized physiotherapy methods. A recent study conducted at the clinical hospital in Wroclaw reveals that additional targeted massage treatments can significantly enhance the BODE index, a critical measure of COPD severity.

The research involved 30 COPD patients receiving standard pharmacological treatments and basic physiotherapy. These patients were randomly assigned to either an experimental group of 20 or a control group of 10. The experimental group received six additional massage treatments over a few days, focusing on muscles including the sterno-cleidomastoid, pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, trapezius, levator scapulae, rhomboids, and serratus anterior. Each 30-minute session incorporated stroking, grinding, vibration, and kneading techniques.

The effectiveness of the treatments was assessed using the BODE index, which comprises four components: Body Mass Index (B), airflow obstruction measured by FEV1 (O), dyspnea evaluated through the MRC scale (D), and exercise capacity assessed by a 6-minute walk test (E). Each component, except BMI, was rated on a scale from 0 to 3, with BMI rated as 0 or 1.

The results were promising. The experimental group exhibited a marked improvement in their BODE index, whereas the control group showed only slight changes. Specifically, the experimental group demonstrated significant enhancements in FEV1 and MRC parameters, which remained unchanged in the control group.

After a week of specialized therapy, both groups showed improvements in the BODE index, but the experimental group saw a significantly greater enhancement. In the experimental group, all components of the BODE index, except BMI, improved considerably, whereas the control group showed significant improvement only in exercise capacity.

This study underscores the potential of specialized physiotherapy in managing COPD, offering a pathway to improved patient outcomes and enhanced quality of life.

Reference: Kurzaj, M., Wierzejski, W., Dor, A., Stawska, J., & Rożek, K. (2013). The impact of specialized physiotherapy methods on BODE index in COPD patients during hospitalization. Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 22(5), 721-730.