Effects of shadow boxing training on exercise endurance and quality of life of patients with chronic

Objective: To evaluate the effects of shadow boxing training on the exercise endurance and quality of life of Chinese patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Methods: From May 2010 to March 2011, a total of 70 COPD patients in stable phases were recruited from Liwan, Yuexiu and Haizhu districts of Guangzhou. There were 35 patients in the shadow boxing exercise group and 35 patients in the control group. And they were matched by gender and age. The patients in the shadow boxing group exercised for 3 months while those in the control group received the conventional out-hospital management only. Their demographic, medical history, smoking status, medicinal use, spirometric data, clinical COPD questionnaire (CCQ) scores, 6-minute walking distance and Borg scores were collected before and after trial. Results: A total of 63 COPD patients (33 in shadow boxing group vs. 30 in control group) completed the study. There was an average dropout rate of 5.7% (2/35) in shadow boxing group and 14.3% (5/35) in control group. No differences existed between two groups in age (67±8 vs 69±9 yr), male proportion (84.8% vs 86.7%), body mass index (22.8±2.6 vs 22.7±3.0), usage proportion of medicine (42.4% vs 33.3%), duration of disease (4.0±7.5 vs 5.5±7.3), percentage of smokers (78.8% vs 80.0%), 6-minute walking distance (447±94 vs 414±100), CCQ total score (15.0±9.4 vs 14.1±8.8), CCQ symptom score (9.2±5.6 vs 8.3±5.0) and activity score (5.8±4.5 vs 5.8±4.4) at baseline (all P>0.05). At the end of study, the 6-minute walking distance of patients had statistical differences between two groups (P<0.01). The shadow boxing group increased by (51±55) m while the control dropped by (19±58) m. The total score, symptom score and activity score of clinical COPD questionnaire had statistical differences between two groups. They decreased significantly in the shadow boxing group as compared with the baseline data while there was no significant change in the control group. No statistical differences existed between two groups in the changes of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV,), FEV, % pred, Borg score and dyspnea scales. Conclusion Capable of improving the exercise endurance and life quality of COPD patients, shadow boxing exercise may become one of effective rehabilitation programs for COPD patients in stable phases in communities.