The Relationship Between Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Systematic Review

The primary objective of this systematic review was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) and aerobic exercise within pulmonary rehabilitation programmes for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, EBSCO SportDiscus, and Cochrane CENTRAL to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that incorporated either IMT or aerobic exercise as a core component of pulmonary rehabilitation. Inclusion criteria comprised original studies involving COPD patients, with ethical approval and adherence to international guidelines. Data extraction focused on intervention timing, duration, exercise modality, and outcome measures such as dyspnea, exercise capacity, and health-related quality of life. Five RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Most studies (60%) were conducted in inpatient settings, and in 40% of cases, interventions began within 24–48 hours after hospital admission. IMT was the primary exercise modality in 60% of the studies, while aerobic exercise accounted for 40%. IMT demonstrated a notable effect in reducing dyspnea, whereas both IMT and aerobic training produced comparable improvements in exercise capacity and quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a safe and well-tolerated intervention for COPD patients. IMT and aerobic exercise are the most effective modalities, yielding similar benefits for functional outcomes and quality of life. Further research should focus on optimising the timing, duration, frequency, and intensity of these interventions.