Interventions that included ET and PA counseling during PR were effective strategies to improve PA in COPD
BACKGROUND Physical inactivity is associated with poor outcomes in COPD , and as a result , interventions to improve physical activity ( PA ) are a current research focus .
However , many trials have been small and inconclusive .
OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review and meta- analysis was to study the effects of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) targeting PA in COPD .
A randomized, controlled trial comparing long-term and short-term exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
PURPOSE To compare the effects of short-term ( 3 months ) and long-term ( 18 months ) involvement in an exercise program on self-reported disability and physical function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) . METHODS A total of 140 patients with COPD were studied in a r and omized , single-blinded clinical trial . Self-reported disability and physical function were assessed using a  21-item question naire , a 6-minute walk , timed stair climb , and an overhead task .  RESULTS At the completion of the trial , participants in the long-term intervention reported 12 % less disability than those in the short-term intervention ( adjusted mean with 95 % confidence interval , 1.53 ( 1.43 - 1.63 ) versus 1.71 ( 1.61 to 1.81 ) units , respectively ; P=.016 ) , walked 6 % farther during 6-minutes ( 1,815.0 [ 1,750.4 - 1,879.6 ] vs 1,711.5 [ 1,640.7 - 1,782.3 ] feet , respectively ) , climbed steps 11 % faster ( 11.6 [ 11.0 - 12.2 ] vs 12.9 [ 12.3 - 13.5 ] seconds , respectively ) , and completed an overhead task 8 % faster ( 46.8 [ 44.4 - 49.2 ] vs 50.4 [ 47.8 - 53.0 ] seconds , respectively ) than those in the short-term intervention . CONCLUSION An 18 month exercise program results in greater improvements in self-reported disability and physical function in patients with COPD when compared with a 3-month exercise program . As such , long-term exercise should be recommended for all patients with COPD
Interventions that included ET and PA counseling during PR were effective strategies to improve PA in COPD
BACKGROUND Physical inactivity is associated with poor outcomes in COPD , and as a result , interventions to improve physical activity ( PA ) are a current research focus .
However , many trials have been small and inconclusive .
OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review and meta- analysis was to study the effects of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) targeting PA in COPD .