Effects of Pedometer-Based Step-Feedback on Physical Activity of Severe COPD Patients

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigated whether adding step-feedback (step-FB) from a pedometer to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs could increase the physical activity (PA) of low-activity patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Patients and Methods

We included low-activity patients with severe COPD (step-FB group: 14 patients; control group: 17 patients) who underwent PR for the first time. The usual PR program for patients with severe COPD consisted of two 8-week sessions (PR session 1: PR1, PR session 2: PR2). The step-FB group was provided a program with step-FB added to PR2 (PR2+step-FB). Furthermore, all patients were evaluated at pre-intervention (baseline), PR1, and PR2. The primary outcome of this study was the number of daily steps (steps) and energy expenditure from activity (energy expenditure), as measured by a pedometer. The secondary outcomes were dyspnea and exercise tolerance.

Results

In PR1, dyspnea, exercise tolerance, steps, and energy expenditure were significantly improved as compared to baseline, in both groups. During PR2, dyspnea and exercise tolerance were significantly improved as compared to PR1, in both groups. Steps and energy expenditure were significantly improved in the step-FB group, but not in the control group.

Conclusion

PR improved PA by improving physical function in severe COPD patients. Adding step-FB improved PA in severe COPD patients by presenting an activity goal for improving PA. Therefore, pedometer-based step-FB is a viable addition to PR and has the potential to improve PA continuously in these patients.

Keywords:

• dyspnea
• exercise tolerance
• monitoring
• pulmonary rehabilitation
• step counter

Abbreviations

6MWD, 6-minute walking distance; 6MWT, 6-minute walking test; BDI, baseline dyspnea index; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; GOLD, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease; PA, physical activity; PR, pulmonary rehabilitation; TDI, transition dyspnea index.

Acknowledgments

We express our gratitude to the patients who participated in this study. We also thank all the staff who assisted in data collection and analysis.

Disclosure

All authors report that there are no conflicts of interest to declare for this work.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.