Exercise Reduces Anxiety, Depression Risk in COPD Patients

Regular physical activity cuts anxiety and depression risk in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Highlights

Feelings of anxiety and depression are common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Low physical activity (PA) is a critical feature of COPD
Higher PA is linked to reduced risk of anxiety and depression in COPD patients

Physical activity (PA) among COPD patients reduces their risk of anxiety and depression.

Mental disorders are common in people with COPD. Prevalence of depression and anxiety is approximately 40% in COPD patients. Low physical activity is observed among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Association of PA with the incidence of categories of comorbidities (presence of one or more additional diseases or disorders) in COPD was assessed.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
COPD includes respiratory tract disorders that cause obstruction to airflow. These are chronic bronchitis, emphysema and small airway disease.

‘Higher physical activity among patients with COPD was associated with 11% reduced risk of developing anxiety and 15% reduced risk of becoming depressed.’

Physical activity refers to body movement that enhances health. Examples of physical activity include walking, running, dancing, swimming, yoga and gardening.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes respiratory tract disorders that cause obstruction to airflow. These are chronic bronchitis, emphysema and small airway disease. The main cause of COPD is long-term exposure to substances (cigarette smoke, second-hand smoke) that irritate the lungs. There is no cure for COPD.

COPD Statistics

In 2012, more than 3 million people died of COPD
More than 90% of the deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
COPD affects an estimated 24 million people in the US

Study

Quiz on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affects millions of people worldwide and is responsible for numerous deaths due to complications. Here is a quiz on the various aspects of COPD.

Research team selected 409 patients from primary care practice in the Netherlands and Switzerland.

The study was conducted by Drs Milo Puhan, Anja Frei, and Tsung Yu, University of Zurich, Switzerland, and Dr Gerben ter Riet, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Information on Exercise
It is important for us to understand the power of daily exercise. Only then can we motivate ourselves to inculcate the habit of exercise on a daily basis.

Low physical activity (PA) was assessed using the Longitudinal Ageing Study Amsterdam Physical Activity Questionnaire and researchers followed patients for up to 5 years.

During the follow-up of the study, the patients reported their comorbidities under the following categories

Cardiovascular
Neurological
Hormonal
Musculoskeletal
Cancer
Infectious diseases

The patients were asked to complete the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire for mental health assessment.

The Lungs
The lungs are our organs of respiration. It is within these, that exchange of gases takes place.

Results:

Higher levels of physical activity were associated with the following for over the next 5 years

11% reduced risk of developing anxiety
15% reduced risk of becoming depressed

Depression and Anxiety in Patients with COPD

Depression and anxiety are challenging to spot and treat in COPD patients because their symptoms overlap with those of COPD. Untreated depression and anxiety can have a deleterious effect on physical functioning, increasing fatigue in COPD patients.

Research published in European Respiratory Review suggests that pulmonary rehabilitation (exercise), smoking cessation, psychotherapy and antidepressant drug therapy were found to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with COPD.

Study conducted by Martijin et al revealed that exercise training as a part of pulmonary rehabilitation programme makes a difference in COPD patients. The research team did not observe any statistically significant associations of PA with the other categories of comorbidities.

The authors conclude: "In COPD patients, those with high PA are less likely to develop depression or anxiety over time. PA promotion programs may be considered to lower the burden of mental disorders in COPD patients."

Benefits of Physical Activity

Controls weight
Strengthens Heart and Improves Lung Function
Reduces risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancers
Improves mental health and mood
Boosts Energy
Promotes better sleep
Extends life expectancy

Source-Medindia