Effect of a Conical-PEP Mask on Exercise in Subjects With COPD

BACKGROUND: Dynamic hyperinflation (DH) is a major pathophysiology of COPD that is directly related to dyspnea and exercise intolerance. Positive expiratory pressure (PEP) might reduce DH and dyspnea during exercise, but at present, there is insufficient evidence to conclude whether it is beneficial for DH, dyspnea, and exercise capacity in COPD.

METHODS: A randomized crossover trial with concealed allocation was conducted in 37 moderate to very severe subjects with COPD (34 males, age 66.6 ± 7.4 y, FEV₁% of predicted 56.3 ± 13.7). The experimental condition was conical-PEP breathing with a PEP of around 5 cm H₂O during a spot marching exercise at a constant speed, inducing 71 ± 9% age-predicted maximum heart rate to symptom limit or 25 min. The control condition was usual breathing. Exercise endurance time and end-exercise symptoms were recorded. Inspiratory capacity (IC) was measured pre-exercise and immediately post exercise. Cardiopulmonary function and breathlessness were monitored throughout the test and after 10 min of recovery.

RESULTS: There were no complications or adverse effects during exercise with a conical-PEP mask. Conical-PEP showed longer exercise times than control (median 11.0 [interquartile range 7.7–17.0] min vs 8 [6.0–11.5] min, respectively, P < .001). Most stopped exercising because of breathlessness and leg fatigue. At the end of exercise, IC and breathlessness showed non-significant differences between the conditions, but breathlessness was significantly lower in conical-PEP (median 4 [1.5–5.0] than control 5 [3–6] on Borg scale at isotime for control [8 min]).

CONCLUSIONS: Breathing with a 5 cm H₂O conical-PEP mask improved exercise time (median 27.1% [0.6–52.9]) in subjects with COPD. The improvement in exercise with the conical-PEP mask was associated with slower development of breathlessness, possibly due to delays in DH development.