Effects of Balneotherapy on Pulmonary Function and Quality of Life in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

• Main Authors: Feng-Lien Lin, 林鳳蓮
• Other Authors: Shiuh-Long Lin
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2005
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/74993296670989805668

碩士 === 國立台北護理學院 === 旅遊健康研究所 === 93 === Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of balneotherapy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Subjects managed at a chest medical clinic of a medical center in Taipei city were included voluntarily after signing informed consents. The inclusion criteria were age>40, the mild and moderate COPD by GOLD criteria. The 10 subjects in the experimental group received balneotherapy twice per week for 6weeks with regular medical treatment. The 14 subjects in control group received medical treatment without balneotherapy. All subjects received pulmonary function tests and WHOQOL-Bref (Taiwan) questionnaire prior to the operation (pre-test) and 6weeks later (post-test). The experimental group received third measurement at the end of operation for 4weeks (post post-test). The statistical analysis applied in data analysis included percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Friedman analysis of variance by ranks. The results indicated that subjects in the experimental group had improvement in mean of FEV1 % predicted and QOL (p<.05) after balneotherapy, while subjects in the control group did not. The present study implies that balneotherapy were effective in improving pulmonary function and quality of life of patients with mild and moderate COPD. The results of this study could be used as a reference for health professionals in COPD management.