Abstract
Depression is a common community-health problem among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD). Rare studies have evaluated the effects of intermittent aerobic exercise on depression status in patients with COPD. Therefore, this study aims to identify the short-term effects of intermittent aerobic exercise on depression status and respiratory functions in patients with COPD. Forty-two patients with moderate COPD (50%<= FEV1 <80% predicted) were included in this prospective experimental study. The mean of their age was 48.4 +/- 7.5 years. All patients were complaining of mild and moderate depression. Randomly, the patients were assigned into two groups, 21 in each group. The first group was recruited to intermittent aerobic exercise, 40 min/session, 4 sessions per week for 10 weeks (intermittent group). The second group did not receive an exercise program during the study period (conventional group). Depression status and spirometry assessments were performed. After the intervention the depression status and respiratory functions were significantly improved in the intermittent group (p<0.05) while the conventional group showed nonsignificant changes in any parameters of the outcome measures (p>0.05). Changes in the intermittent group were significantly different from the conventional group (p<0.05). 10-week intermittent aerobic exercise reduces depression status and improves respiratory functions in patients with moderate COPD. Intermittent aerobic exercise should be recommended in the rehabilitation program of COPD, especially depressed patients.