A subgroup analysis reported significant differences in the promotion of physical activity based on baseline physical activity levels and the type of instrument used to assess levels of physical activity .
Physical activity is increased by a 12-week semiautomated telecoaching programme in patients with COPD: a multicentre randomised controlled trial
Rationale Reduced physical activity ( PA )  in patients with COPD is associated with a poor prognosis . Increasing PA is a key therapeutic target , but thus far few strategies have been found effective in this patient group . Objectives To investigate the effectiveness of a 12-week semiautomated telecoaching intervention on PA  in patients with COPD in a multicentre European r and omised controlled trial . Methods 343 patients from six centres , encompassing a wide spectrum of disease severity , were r and omly allocated to either a usual care group ( UCG ) or a telecoaching intervention group ( IG ) between June and December 2014 . This 12-week intervention included an exercise booklet and a step counter providing feedback both directly and via a dedicated smartphone application . The latter provided an individualised daily activity goal ( steps ) revised weekly and text messages as well as allowing occasional telephone contacts with investigators .  PA  was measured using accelerometry during 1 week preceding r and omisation and during week 12 . Secondary outcomes included exercise capacity and health status . Analyses were based on modified intention to treat . Main results Both groups were comparable at baseline in terms of factors influencing PA . At 12 weeks , the intervention yielded a between-group difference of mean , 95 % CI ( lower limit – upper limit ; ll-ul ) + 1469 , 95 % CI ( 971 to 1965 ) steps/day and + 10.4 , 95 % CI ( 6.1 to 14.7 ) min/day moderate PA ; favouring the IG ( all p≤0.001 ) . The change in 6-min walk distance was significantly different ( 13.4 , 95 % CI ( 3.40 to 23.5 ) m , p<0.01 ) , favouring the IG . In IG patients , an improvement could be observed in the functional state domain of the clinical COPD question naire ( p=0.03 ) compared with UCG . Other health status outcomes did not differ . Conclusions The amount and intensity of PA  can be significantly increased in patients with COPD using a 12-week semiautomated telecoaching intervention including a step counter and an application installed on a smartphone . Trial registration number : NCT02158065
A subgroup analysis reported significant differences in the promotion of physical activity based on baseline physical activity levels and the type of instrument used to assess levels of physical activity .