ASSOBRAFIR clinical practice guidelines in respiratory physical therapy: Exercise-based interventions in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Exercise training is essential in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In Brazil, physical therapists typically deliver exercise in PR. This document presents ASSOBRAFIR recommendations for prescribing exercise training for patients with COPD. OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence-based recommendations for structuring exercise training programs for people with COPD. METHODS: The guideline panel followed the Guidelines International Network (GIN) principles and the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation (AGREE-II) to ensure methodological rigor. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was employed to assess the certainty of evidence (CoE). This method assessed evidence quality and developed recommendations for five key questions addressing aspects of exercise training for people with stable COPD. Treatment effects were evaluated using systematic reviews and meta-analyses. RESULTS: The following conditional recommendations were drawn: 1. Combined exercise training (aerobic + resistance) is suggested over aerobic training alone (very-low CoE); 2. No suggestion for or against adding inspiratory muscle training, non-invasive ventilation, or supplemental oxygen to combined exercise training (moderate to very-low CoE); 3. Either interval or continuous training is suggested, with no preference for partitioned or nonlinear training (moderate to very-low CoE); 4. Maintenance exercise programs are suggested as an alternative to usual care after PR (very-low CoE); 5. Minimal resource exercise training, especially with elastic resistance, or conventional exercise training is suggested (very-low CoE). CONCLUSION: The results of the present guideline can aid clinicians in structuring exercise training for people with COPD.