EFFECTS OF ELASTIC TAPE ON THORACOABDOMINAL MECHANICS, DYSPNEA, EXERCISE CAPACITY AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL IN NON OBESE MALE SUBJECTS WITH COPD

Individuals with severe and very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) present thoracoabdominal asynchrony (TAA) that reduces ventilatory efficiency and exercise capacity. However, no therapeutic intervention has focused on reducing TAA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of elastic tape (ET) on thoracoabdominal mechanics, dyspnea symptoms, exercise capacity, and physical activity level in non-obese male subjects with severe to very severe COPD. Materials and Methods: This crossover, randomized trial included non-obese males with severe to very severe COPD. ET was placed on the chest wall and abdomen to reduce TAA. After randomization, subjects were evaluated at three hospital visits, each seven days apart. At visit 1, thoracoabdominal kinematic and pulmonary ventilation were evaluated simultaneously by optoelectronic plethysmography and electrical impedance tomography, respectively, both at rest and during isoload exercise testing. At visit 2, a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET, 10 W/min) was performed until exhaustion. Between the visits, subjects used a physical activity monitor for seven days (at least five days of measurement; 10 h/day). At visit 3, all the tests were repeated in the opposite order of the previous randomization. Results: During the isoload exercise, subjects with ET presented lower tidal and minute volumes (p=0.01) and reduced TAA (p=0.02) and dyspnea perception (p=0.04). During the CPET, subjects with ET presented an increase in VO2 peak (l/min and ml/kg/min; p=0.01), test duration (p=0.009) and maximal load (p=0.03). Moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA), which was evaluated by the physical activity monitor, was also increased in subjects who used ET (p=0.01). ET reduced TAA and dyspnea and increased exercise capacity and the duration of MVPA in non-obese male subjects with severe to very severe COPD.