Comparison of the effects of square-step and strengthening exercise applied with telerehabilitation on cognitive functions, balance, and quality of life in COPD patients

This study was planned to compare the effects of square-step (SSE) and strengthening exercise (SE) applied with telerehabilitation on cognitive functions, balance and quality of life in individuals with COPD. Thirty-four individuals with COPD were included in the study and were randomly divided into two groups as the SSE group (n=17) and the SE group (n=17). In the SSE group, 3 days a week for 8 weeks, 10-minute (min) warm-up exercise, combined breathing exercise, 30-min SSE, and 10-min cool-down exercise were applied by telerehabilitation. The SE group, 3 days a week for 8 weeks, 10-min warm-up exercise, combined breathing exercise, 30-min strength training, and 10-min cool-down exercise were applied by telerehabilitation. Individuals had pulmonary function test with spirometry, dyspnea with modified Medical Research Council, COPD effects with COPD Evaluation Test, comorbidities with modified Charlson Comorbidity index, cognitive functions with Mini Mental State Test and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire (MoCA), balance with Biodex and BESTest balance and quality of life was assessed with the St.George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). As a result of the study, in the SSE group, there was significant difference in Biodex, BESTest, MoCA, SGRQ values before and after the training (p<0.05); In the SE group, there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the pre and post-training, MoCA, SGRQ and BESTest values. In the intergroup comparison; Biodex, BESTest and SGRQ results were found to be significant in favor of the SSE group (p<0.05). MoCA results were found to be similar in both groups (p>0.05). As a result, it was found that both exercises had similar effects on static and dynamic balance functions with telerehabilitation, and on quality of life and cognitive functions, where CE was more effective on muscle strength.