<p>Physical Activity in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Long-Term Oxygen Therapy: A Cross-Sectional Study</p>

Abstract

Background and aimThere are few studies evaluating physical activity (PA) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT).AimTo assess PA in hypoxemic COPD patients on LTOT.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we compared lung function, arterial blood gases, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, 6-min walking distance (6MWD), daily energy expenditure and steps, and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in COPD patients on LTOT (LTOT group) versus two groups of control patients not needing LTOT: with (HYPOX) and without (COPD) exercise-induced desaturations.ResultsGroups did not differ as regards demographics, anthropometrics, peripheral or respiratory muscle strength. Compared to the other groups, LTOT patients had more severe airway obstruction and lung hyperinflation, greater number and severity of comorbidities, shorter 6MWD, as well as lower mean SpO2 during 6MWD and worse quality of life. LTOT patients had a lower daily energy expenditure, shorter time spent > 3.0 METs and longer sedentary time compared to the COPD group, and less daily steps compared to the other groups. No significant difference in any parameter of PA was found between COPD and HYPOX. In LTOT patients, daily steps showed a strong correlation with 6MWD, and a moderate correlation with airway obstruction, level of oxygenation, comorbidities and quality of life but not with peripheral and respiratory muscle strength. In COPD and HYPOX patients, daily steps were strongly correlated with 6MWD and level of oxygenation as assessed by PaO2/FiO2. There was no significant correlation between mean SpO2 and 6MWD in any group.ConclusionCOPD patients on LTOT perform less physical activity than patients not needing LTOT, both with and without exercise-induced desaturations. Patients with exercise-induced desaturations do not perform less physical activity than those without.

Physical Frailty in COPD Patients with Chronic Respiratory Failure

“…We used accelerometry to provide an objective assessment of physical activity in this population and found that COPD patients with chronic respiratory failure have a remarkably low level of domestic daily life activities. 41 We also confirmed the existing relationship between physical frailty and low daily physical activity previously reported in healthy older adults. 42 Regardless of the physical frailty status, the number of steps per day and the time spent in moderate physical activity were well below the guideline recommendations.…”

Home-based Pulmonary Rehabilitation is Effective in Frail COPD Patients with Chronic Respiratory Failure

“…Exercise tolerance, daily physical activity, healthrelated quality of life, and survival are reduced in COPD patients with chronic respiratory failure compared to early stages of the disease. 11,22,37,38 The 6MST is an attractive field test to evaluate exercise tolerance outside of a hospital. 30 Six (31.6%) of the initially frail participants were unable to perform the 6MST and consequently received the score of zero.…”

Sedentary Time and Cognitive Impairment in Patients Using Long-Term Oxygen Therapy: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Few studies have evaluated the sedentary time of patients on LTOT [9,43], and the sedentary time of Japanese patients on LTOT has not been clarified. The sedentary time of patients on LTOT has been reported to be 623 min [9].…”