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Nadeem S, Fawad M, Sheraz S, Farooq V, Malik S, Tariq M I. Otago Exercise Versus Circuit Training for Balance and Quality of Life in COPD: A Randomized Controlled Trial. PTJ 2026; 16 (S1) :413-422
URL: http://ptj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-824-en.html

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Beyond pulmonary symptoms, patients with COPD also experience systemic manifestations, including impaired balance, leading to falls and reduced quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to compare the effects of the Otago exercise program (OEP) and circuit training (CT) on balance and QoL in patients with COPD. 
Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 42 individuals of both sexes with a history of falls and moderate-to-severe COPD according to global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease criteria were recruited. Using the sealed envelope approach, participants were randomly assigned into two groups: the Otago exercise group (OEG) and the CT group (CTG), with 21 participants per group. For eight weeks (three sessions per week), each group engaged in their assigned exercises in addition to routine pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Assessments were performed at baseline, week four, and week eight of the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 20). Normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and most of the data were normally distributed; therefore, parametric tests were applied. The confidence interval (CI) was kept at 95%, and P<0.05 was considered significant.             
Results: The study included 42 COPD patients with a predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) of 39.47±4.95. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in balance and QoL after completing the exercise protocol (P<0.01) for within-group comparisons. However, no statistically significant (P>0.05) differences were observed between the two groups.
Conclusion: For improving balance and QoL in individuals with moderate to severe COPD, both CT and the OEP are beneficial, and neither is superior to the other. Patients with COPD can improve their QoL and balance by participating in the Otago home-based exercise program.