Will adding balance training to my rehab improve my COPD stability?

COPD can affect more than just your breathing. Many people with COPD also have balance problems, which raises the risk of falls and can make daily activities harder. Standard pulmonary rehab (PR) focuses on exercise and breathing, but often does not include specific balance exercises. Research now shows that adding balance training to your rehab program can improve your stability and reduce fall risk.

What the research says

A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis of 7 randomized trials with 548 COPD patients found that adding balance training to pulmonary rehab significantly improved static balance (standing still) by about 3.3 seconds, dynamic balance (moving) by about 2 seconds, overall balance scores, and balance confidence ⁴¹¹. The same review also reported improvements in health-related quality of life ⁴¹¹. A separate 2022 home-based trial in 48 COPD patients showed that an 8-week program combining balance training with pulmonary rehab led to better functional balance (measured by the Timed Up and Go test) and reduced fall risk compared to rehab alone ⁹. That trial also found improvements in balance confidence and exercise capacity ⁹. Importantly, no adverse events were reported in these studies, suggesting the training is safe ⁹. While balance training does not directly treat COPD lung function, it addresses a common and often overlooked problem that affects stability and independence.

What to ask your doctor

• Can I have a balance assessment as part of my pulmonary rehab program?
• What specific balance exercises would be safe and effective for my COPD stage?
• Are there home-based balance training programs I can follow between rehab sessions?
• How often should I do balance training to see improvements in stability and fall risk?
• Should I be screened for fall risk given my COPD diagnosis?