Physical activity levels in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients after pulmonary rehabilitation

Abstract

Introduction: Patients diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), are known to exhibit reductions in physical activity (PA) levels because of the symptoms they exhibit. Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is one of the first line management treatments offered to help reduce symptoms. PR enhances gains in exercise capacity but whether these gains transfer to increased PA is debatable. This study aims to explore the effects of PR on PA levels in COPD patients. Method: Twenty-eight patients with a diagnosis of COPD were recruited to attend an 8-week PR programme. Each patient was provided with a pedometer and a diary to monitor daily step count. The ‘Yale Physical Activity Survey’ (YPAS) was used to subjectively assess PA duration, total energy expenditure (TEE) and total activity summary index (TASI). Exercise capacity (6MWT) was also assessed. These measures were measured at different time frames throughout the course of the intervention being: baseline, at 4 weeks and at 8 weeks. Results: Statistically significant improvements were recorded after 8 weeks of PR in the 6MWT (7%, p = 0.007), step count (27%, p = 0.022), PA duration (35%, p = 0.004), TEE (35%, p = <0.001) and TASI (44%, p = <0.001). A positive statistically significant relationship was observed between 6MWT and step count at week 4 (p = 0.049) and at week 8 (p = 0.008). Conclusion: The study concluded that an 8-week PR programme does lead to increased PA levels in COPD patients, provided that behavioural change is encouraged via feedback tools such as the pedometer and education talks.