Randomized trial of non-invasive ventilation combined with exercise training in patients with chronic hypercapnic failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The combination of ventilation and exercise training had greater benefits than the separate treatments: improvements were observed in both blood gases and the levels of more biomarkers decreased. In addition, submaximal exercise capacity increased in all groups. The improvements seen in BODE index, perception of dyspnoea and quality of life were similar in all groups.