Sitting and standing position affect pulmonary function in patients with COPD: A preliminary study

The purpose of this study was to determine if sitting and standing position alter pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Subjects in this study (n = 11) had a medical diagnosis of COPD, chronic bronchitis, and/or emphysema. Each subject performed a FVC maneuver in 4 different positions with upper extremities fixed including: standing upright, standing forward leaning, sitting upright, and sitting forward leaning. A FVC maneuver was performed 3 times in each position with rest, as needed by the patient, between trials. Parameters analyzed included FVC, FEV^sub 1^, FEV^susb 1^ /FVC, PEF, FEF 25 to 75%, FEF 50%, and FIF 50%. Differences among the 4 …