Year: 2026 | Month: July-September | Volume: 11 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 72-79
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/gijhsr.20260309
Impact of Physiotherapy on Functional Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Case Series
Buba Ahmad Imam Musa1, Prashna Napit1, Shivpriya Sharma2
1BPT, Department of Physiotherapy, Sharda School of Allied Health Sciences, Sharda University, Greater Noida
2Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Sharda School of Allied Health Sciences, Sharda University, Greater Noida
Corresponding Author: Shivpriya Sharma
ABSTRACT
Background: One of the main causes of death in the world today is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients with COPD benefit greatly from the respiratory care and rehabilitation provided by physiotherapists.
Case presentation: Six male patients with clinically diagnosed COPD, ages 50 to 72, participated in a case series. A two-week physiotherapy treatment that included breathing exercises: deep breathing, pursed-lip breathing, thoracic expansion exercises and airway clearance techniques: mechanical vibration was provided to the participants. The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale along with symptoms and vitals were used as outcome measures before and after the intervention.
Results: Each case showed continuous improvement after the intervention. Each patient's mMRC grades improved by one level, and their CAT scores considerably dropped, moving from "very high" or "high" impact to "medium" impact categories.
Conclusion: Structured Physiotherapy protocol significantly improves functional capacity, reduces dyspnea, and enhances the quality of life in patients with COPD. These findings support the inclusion of physiotherapy as an essential component of comprehensive COPD management.
Keywords: COPD, physical therapy, physiotherapy rehabilitation, breathing exercises.