This is a randomized clinical trial study to determine and comparison the effects of chest physiotherapy and breathing exercises on fatigue and daily activities in patients with Chronic obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD). fifty one patients with COPD will be divided randomly in three groups of chest physiotherapy (group 1) , breathing exercises (group2), chest physiotherapy and breathing exercises ( group 3). Inclusion criteria are: filled in patients consent, definite diagnosis of COPD, aged 40-65, lack of diagnosed mental disorders, no other chronic and disabling disease like heart failure and lung cancer which have Confounding effects on the study. Exclusion criteria are: no more tendency to continue the study, disability to do recommended chest physiotherapy and breathing exercises, exacerbations during hospitalization, emigration and death.
Population of the study is all COPD patients who have been admitted at internal wards of hospitals in Yasuj. Total sample size is 51 patients who will be divided in 3 groups (each group 17 patients). Interventions for group 1: chest physiotherapy 3 times a day for 10 days, group 2: breathing exercises 3 times a day for 10 days, and group 3: both interventions (chest physiotherapy and breathing exercises) 3 times a day for 10 days. Data will be collected before interventions, 1 and 2 weeks after interventions. Primary outcomes are fatigue and daily activities of COPD patients.