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 .
Pedometers to enhance physical activity in COPD: a randomised controlled trial
Physical inactivity is a cardinal feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) , and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality . Pedometers , which have been used in healthy population s , might also increase physical activity in patients with COPD . COPD patients taking part in a 3-month individualised programme to promote an increase in their daily physical activity were r and omised to either a st and ard programme of physical activity encouragement alone , or a pedometer-based programme . Assessment s were performed by investigators blinded to treatment allocation . Change in average 1-week daily step count , 6-min walking distance ( 6MWD ) , modified Medical Research Council scale , St George ’s respiratory question naire ( SGRQ ) and COPD assessment test ( CAT ) were compared between groups . 102 patients were recruited , of whom 97 completed the programme ( pedometer group : n=50 ; control group : n=47 ) ; 60.8 % were male with a mean±sd age of 68.7±8.5 years , and forced expiratory volume in 1 s ( FEV1 ) 66.1±19.4 % and FEV1/forced vital capacity 55.2±9.5 % . Both groups had comparable characteristics at baseline . The pedometer group had significantly greater improvements in : physical activity 3080±3254 steps·day−1 versus 138.3±1950 steps·day−1 ( p<0.001 ) ; SGRQ −8.8±12.2 versus −3.8±10.9 ( p=0.01 ) ; CAT score −3.5±5.5 versus −0.6±6.6 ( p=0.001 ) ; and 6MWD 12.4±34.6 versus −0.7±24.4 m ( p=0.02 ) than patients receiving activity encouragement only . A simple physical activity enhancement programme using pedometers can effectively improve physical activity level and quality of life in COPD patients  . Pedometer-based programme produced clinical ly important improvements in physical activity and health status in COPD
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 .