Evaluation of lower limb muscle strength and function in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-an observational study

Aims and objectives: To evaluate lower limb muscle strength and function in Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
Methods: Forty Subjects clinically diagnosed with COPD meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned in the study. Lower limb muscle strength was assessed i.e. in quadriceps, hamstrings, calf and glutei muscles using pressure biofeedback unit and function was assessed by lower extremityfunctional scale questionnaire.
Results:Comparison of four muscles with respect to strength were done by one way ANOVA the mean sum of squares between groups at the right side was 1193.69 and within the groups was 103.67 and at the left side men squares between groups was 1178.74 and within groups was 102.75, the results obtained were highly significant. (p=0.0001) Pair wise comparison of four muscles were done at the right side and left side which showed that the results obtained were highly significant( p=0.0001). Therefore we conclude that equal reduction in all the four muscles at left and right side was noted and the mean LEFS score was 51.10±10.42 years and LEFS showed no statistical significance.
Conclusion: The study concluded that equal reduction in all the four muscles at left and right side was noted with no statistical significance in LEFS value.