<p>Long-Term Effects of Pedometer-Based Physical Activity Coaching in Severe COPD: A Randomized Controlled Trial</p>

Abstract

Background and Objective: Limited evidence on long-term effects of physical activity programs in COPD is available. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of a threemonth program combining physical activity counselling and pedometer-based feedback in addition to usual care, followed by a nine-month unsupervised observation period as compared to usual care in participants with severe to very severe COPD. Methods: Participants were randomized to either a control group receiving usual care or an intervention group receiving motivational support, an activity diary with an individual step count goal (ie, an increase of ≥15% from baseline) and a pedometer in addition to usual care. The intervention ended after three months and an unsupervised observational period followed until twelve months. Primary outcome was daily step count after one year. Results: Seventy-four participants were included, 61 (82%) completed the study. Linear regression modelling, adjusted for baseline step count, showed no significant difference in change in step count after 12 months between the groups (Β = 547.33, 95% CI = −243.55/1338.20). Conclusion: A three-month program combining physical activity counselling and pedometer-based feedback in addition to usual care does not attenuate the declining course of physical activity in participants with severe and very severe COPD during a long term follow-up of one year as compared to usual care. This result was primarily determined by the low intervention response rates to the combined program. Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03114241.

Increasing physical activity in severe asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…While this provides evidence regarding the short-term benefits of a step-based intervention in this population, between-group differences in PA were no longer significant 12-to 16-weeks post-intervention, indicating that the intervention did not lead to a sustained improvement in PA behaviour. These findings mirror the evidence for the short- 34 versus long-term effectiveness 35 of pedometer-based interventions in increasing PA in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) population. In COPD, it has been suggested that multidimensional and possibly repeated intervention targeting not only PA but also exercise capacity and HRQoL may be needed to achieve sustained improvements in PA 35 .…”

“…These findings mirror the evidence for the short- 34 versus long-term effectiveness 35 of pedometer-based interventions in increasing PA in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) population. In COPD, it has been suggested that multidimensional and possibly repeated intervention targeting not only PA but also exercise capacity and HRQoL may be needed to achieve sustained improvements in PA 35 . Whether a similar approach is required in the severe asthma population warrants further investigation.…”

A few more steps lead to improvements in endothelial function in severe and very severe COPD

“…This is a secondary outcome analysis from a single-centre parallel group, randomised controlled trial [25].…”

“…Data was collected between May 2017 and May 2020. This study describes the analysis of the secondary outcome from a randomised controlled trial (RCT) investigating the effects of a combined PA counselling and pedometer-based feedback intervention in severe and very severe COPD [25]. Patients aged 40 years or older with diagnosed severe and very severe COPD (i.e.…”

“…In the original study, patients were randomised to either a control group receiving usual care or an intervention group receiving PA counselling and pedometer-based feedback in addition to usual care [25]. Overall, three visits took place (i.e.…”