Physical Activity and Self-Efficacy After Pulmonary Rehabilitation

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is effective in increasing level of (a) physical activity (PA) and (b) self-efficacy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

PR is an evidence-based multidisciplinary approach consisting primarily of a supervised exercise program with educational components. It has demonstrated high efficacy in improving dyspnoea, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and functional exercise capacity in patients with COPD. Despite these improvements, there is no conclusive evidence that these benefits translate to an increase in PA in patient's day-to-day life. This is of concern as low PA is a predictor of all cause mortality, correlated with lower HRQoL, increased level of dyspnoea and higher number of hospital admissions in this group of patients.

Self-efficacy is found to be an instigating force in forming intention to exercise and in maintaining practice for an extended time. Self-efficacy may be the key in determining whether a patient translates the improvement in exercise tolerance to actually being more physically active. Based on current knowledge, there is insufficient evidence that self-efficacy increases after pulmonary rehabilitation and no correlation has been made between level of self-efficacy and level of PA in these group of patients.

Hence this study aims to find out whether the existing PR program increases level of PA and self-efficacy. Correlation between level of PA and self-efficacy will be made.

The intervention group will consist of all patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) referred to Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital (GSTT) pulmonary rehabilitation. A sample of 30 is anticipated as this is the maximum number of patients who could be enrolled in the 3 month recruitment period in Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital.

1. The patient information sheet, together with the referral for PR, will be posted to the patients. Patients will be informed about the study details in the patient information sheet. This will include the fact that they have to wear an accelerometer for 5 to 7 days prior to starting the program. These accelerometers will be collected thereafter. Instructions on the use of the accelerometers will be given. They will also be informed that any personal information will strictly be kept confidential and that the results will be used for analysis in the study.
2. Written consent will be taken on initial assessment if patient agrees to participate in the study.
3. The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Adapted Index of Self-Efficacy (PRAISE) questionnaire will be administered. It consists of 15 questions and will take less than 10 minutes to complete.
4. The patient will undertake 14 sessions of PR under supervision to successfully complete the program. The program is held at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital.
5. The PRAISE questionnaire will be administered again after completion of the program. Patients will be asked to wear the accelerometers again to track their physical activity. After 5 to 7 days of use, the accelerometers will be collected either from their address or via stamped postage.

No changes will be made to the current pulmonary rehabilitation program.

No control group is present in the study as pulmonary rehabilitation is the standard of care and it is not ethical to withhold pulmonary rehabilitation from patients with COPD.

The null hypothesis would be that there is no difference in physical activity and self-efficacy before and after pulmonary rehabilitation. The statistical test used will be a paired sample t-test to determine the change in a) physical activity and b)self-efficacy after pulmonary rehabilitation.

Correlation analysis will be made between self-efficacy and physical activity with a) Anxiety and depression (Hospital anxiety and depression scale), b)Functional exercise capacity (6 minute walk test) and c) COPD Assessment test.

A Pearson or Spearman correlations will be done depending on whether or not the data is normally distributed.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who fulfill the current inclusion criteria for referral to pulmonary rehabilitation in Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital.

   * Have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other respiratory conditions.
   * Are aware of the about the referral and details of the program.
   * Have consented and are able to attend the program.
2. A diagnosis of COPD confirmed by spirometry (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second/Forced Vital Capacity \< 0.70 after bronchodilator) (GOLD, 2014)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. No evidence of COPD on spirometry
2. Acute exacerbations within last 4-6 weeks requiring hospital admission
3. Evidence of ischemic heart disease/ acute changes on ECG
4. Uncontrolled hypertension
5. Inability to exercise independently or musculoskeletal/neurological conditions which would prevent completion of the course or limit participation in the course
6. Lung cancer