The aim of this study is to compare exercise capacity in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients before and after an 8 week pulmonary rehabilitation program. Patients will be randomised in two groups, one arm will received oxygen through High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) and the other group by The Venturi Mask (VM)
Design: randomized, single blind, controlled trial. The main goal of this study is to compare the exercise tolerance in COPD patients after an 8 week pulmonary rehabilitation program using High Flow Nasal Cannula or The Venturi Mask. The exercise tolerance will be measured in seconds in a Constant Load Treadmill Test (CTLT).
During the pulmonary rehabilitation program, patients will train the aerobic capacity on a treadmill. Patients in the intervention arm will receive oxygen trough High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) at 50 lpm and 40% of oxygen. The aerobic capacity training plan will be conducted three times a week over 24 sessions.
During the pulmonary rehabilitation program, patients will train the aerobic capacity on a treadmill. Patients in the control arm will receive oxygen trough The Venturi Mask (VM) at 40% of oxygen. The aerobic capacity training plan will be conducted three times a week over 24 sessions.
Buenos Aires, Argentina