Stress Axis Response to Aerobic Exercise in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

Abstract

Introduction: COVID mortality is particularly high among patients with comorbidities; this may be due to psychological stress caused by overactivation of the stress axis. The study investigates the effect of home-based physical activity (HBPA) on the stress axis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Material and methods: Forty men aged 55–68 years with stable COPD were randomly divided into study or control groups. The study group (n = 20) received eight-week HBPA, three sessions per week, while the control group (n = 20) did not. The following measurements were taken for both groups: body mass index (BMI), pulmonary function test (PFT), cortisol, interleukin-8 (IL-8), health-related quality of life assessed as total St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score, hospital anxiety and depression scale score (HADS), and 6-minute walking test (6MWT). Results: All variables of the control group showed non-significant improvement. Significant improvements in cortisol (262.15 ± 25.08 vs 219.80 ± 30.68 ng/mL; p < 0.001), IL-8 (15.00 ± 5.64 vs 12.26 ± 5.07 pg/ml; p < 0.001), HADS (7.85 ± 2.56 vs 5.36 ± 2.68 and 8.75 ± 2.46 vs 6.60 ± 2.70; p < 0.001 for depression and anxiety subscales, respectively), SGRQ total score (40.50 ± 11.70 vs 35.90 ± 11.75; p < 0.001), and 6MWT (514.85 ± 22.49 vs 575.90 ± 34.37; p < 0.001) were found in the study group over time. No change was observed for BMI and PFT. Conclusions: HBPA is a good tool for improving cortisol, IL-8, HADS, SGRQ, and 6MWT level in COPD patients, especially during the COVID pandemic.