Exercise training in patients with COPD experiencing an exacerbation

This multicenter FWO-project (in collaboration with Ghent university) focuses on the development and implementation of an exercise training program in primary care for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) after an acute exacerbation (AE). AEs contribute to the severity of the lung disease and lead to a large disease burden because they cause loss in function and decline in muscle strength and physical activity. The decline in muscle strength can be an important factor why patients experience difficulties resuming their original physical activity level. Targeted strength training can reverse this process. However, few patients with an AE participate in such programs, organized in a multidisciplinary context. Implementing an exercise training program in primary care, which is more accessible to the patient can potentially counteract this problem. This project wants to investigate whether a training program performed in primary care can improve muscle function, exercise capacity and quality of life and ensure that physical activity recovers faster after an AE. Patients are randomized to an intervention group (training program with focus on muscle strength) and control group (usual care). The primary endpoint will be muscle strength, measured 8 weeks after inclusion in the study.