Impact of Intermittent Hypoxia-Hyperoxia Therapy in COPD Patients - Pilot Study

Introduction. Intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia therapy can contribute to increasing exercise tolerance in patients with cardiovascular, bronchopulmonary, metabolic, and neuropsychiatric pathologies, according to studies in the specialized literature. This therapy consists of the use of hypoxic intervals, interspersed with hyperoxic episodes.

Material and methods. We present 7 clinical cases of patients admitted to the Balneal and Rehabilitation Sanatorium of Techirghiol (SBRT) for 2 weeks, complaining of polyarticular mechanical pain. These patients were diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by the pulmonologist according to the GOLD criteria. During hospitalization, the patients underwent a complex balneo-physical-kinetic treatment, simultaneously with intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia therapy. Patients were evaluated both at admission and discharge.

Results. The evolution of the patients was favorable, with improvement in symptoms, spirometry, scales used, 6-minute walk test, HTi index and paraclinical investigations. Improvements were identified in respiratory volumes, but also in total serum cholesterol and blood glucose levels.

Conclusions. Obtaining promising results gives indications that intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia therapy can be an alternative treatment for multiple pathologies, including COPD. The therapy proved to be safe and well tolerated, representing a non-pharmacological therapy that can be included in the therapeutic management of patients with COPD.