Análise de testes de capacidade funcional de membros superiores em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica: revisão de literatura

Abstract

Objective: to promote a literature review with the purpose of exploring the principais tests used in the functional limitation of patients with COPD. In this review we will discuss only the clinical trials of upper limbs used to evaluate functional capacity. Methods: conducted a literature review in Medline, Lilacs, Bireme, SciELO which included the period of creation of each one until the fourth week of March 2016. Development: it becomes necessary to evaluate the functional capacity through different clinical trials. The comprehensive review by the aggregate and pulmonary, cardiovascular and peripheral muscle systems responses, is performed through tests that show simple methods, reproducible, reliable and reflect the impact of disease. The findings of this paper show that the 6PBRT and GST tests may better reflect the activities of daily living. So should be the test of choice for measuring functional capacity of the upper limbs. Final Considerations: Evaluation of functional capacity in individuals with COPD is of great value for monitoring the development of disease. The assessment tools currently presenting with most clinical applications available in the literature, are the simplest methods and less costly. Therefore, the literature still lacks studies that show its effectiveness and clinical applicability in patients with COPD.