Physical Activity in Bronchiectasis

The primary aim of this study is to examine the physical activity levels of patients with bronchiectasis.

Subsidiary aims are:

1. To examine whether there is a relationship between the physical activity levels of patients with bronchiectasis and clinical phenotype (disease severity, exercise capacity, quality of life or other symptoms of their disease). The investigators also want to explore the relationship between physical activity levels and readiness to change physical activity behaviour (stages of change, self-efficacy, decisional balance and processes of change).
2. To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the physical activity assessment tools: ActiGraph, ActivPAL, pedometer and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Hypothesis:

Patients with bronchiectasis will have low levels of physical activity, and this is related to their clinical phenotype (disease severity, exercise capacity, quality of life and other symptoms of their disease) and also their readiness to change physical activity behaviour (stages of change, self-efficacy, processes of change and decisional balance).

Bronchiectasis is the presence of abnormal, irreversibly dilated, thick walled bronchi that have not been caused by cystic fibrosis. Promoting physical activity and decreasing inactivity (e.g. sedentary periods of activity such as sitting/lying) has been proposed as a key component of care for chronic disease but there is no research on physical activity in bronchiectasis. There is research describing physical activity in other respiratory populations, however, the disease trajectory and demographic profile of bronchiectasis is sufficiently different to warrant the proposed research specifically in bronchiectasis

The investigators need to explore physical activity in bronchiectasis and also provide specific information on the instruments used to measure physical activity. There are several methods which could be used to assess physical activity including subjective methods (e.g. questionnaires), objective methods (e.g. motion sensors). In this study the investigators are using a range of assessment tools to help determine their usefulness (feasibility and acceptability from the health professional and patient perspective) for quantifying physical activity in bronchiectasis.

This study will also assess patients' readiness to change (stages of change, self efficacy, decisional balance and processes of change). Understanding patients with bronchiectasis readiness to change physical activity behaviour and the links between the other important outcome measures will help to inform a future physical activity intervention specifically in patients with bronchiectasis.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* aged ≥18 years diagnosis of bronchiectasis confirmed by HRCT or CT
* clinically stable (no exacerbation and no significant change in symptoms or medication in the last four weeks)
* sputum bacteriology completed over the past three months

Exclusion Criteria:

* clinically unstable (pulmonary exacerbation or any change in symptoms or medication in the last four weeks)
* current severe haemoptysis
* pregnancy or any other concomitant condition that would prevent participation