Physical Activity Tele-coaching in Lung Transplant Recipients

Lung transplantation is an established treatment for patients with end-stage lung disease. Despite the overall success of the treatment to prolong survival and restore lung function, limitations in exercise capacity in the range of 40-60% of predicted normal values are commonly observed, even up to 1 year following the transplant. These persisting limitations are predominantly owed to skeletal muscle abnormalities including muscle atrophy, weakness and increased fatigability, secondary to prolonged deconditioning

Based on objective accelerometry measurements, lung transplant recipients are markedly inactive in daily life compared to their healthy age-matched counterparts. Locomotor muscle weakness following extended hospital and intensive care unit stay, immunosuppressant medications, and the psychological effects of transplantation contribute to persisting physical inactivity and impaired exercise capacity.

Physical activity is a complex health behaviour that is modified by behavioural change interventions. Such interventions may combine the use of wearable monitors (i.e. step counters) with goal setting to increase daily physical activity. In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), use of a semi-automated tele-coaching intervention consisting of a step-counter and smartphone application, in combination with behavioural strategies (identification of barriers, goal setting, self-efficacy, motivation, self-monitoring and feedback) increases both daily physical activity levels and quality of life. However, the effectiveness of tele-coaching to induce meaningful improvements in daily steps to transpire into enhanced post-surgery outcomes and improve recovery is yet to be investigated in lung transplant recipients.

Alongside physical activity promotion, incorporation of behavioural strategies are also important in terms of reversing physical inactivity in patients with chronic lung diseases. These strategies address barriers to physical activity including low self-motivation and self-efficacy, and constitute an important component in the management of chronic diseases to improve long term engagement in activities of daily living.

Accordingly, this study will assess the feasibility and clinical efficacy of physical activity tele-coaching to enhance daily physical activity levels within a population at high risk for post-surgical complications. The intervention combines usual care with tele-coaching, which is designed to embed behavioural change and remote coaching to adhere to simple daily physical activity tasks. Behavioural strategies targeted at improving physical activity levels will be applied to all patients prior to hospital discharge, to promote more active lifestyle choices.

Project Plan

This is a single centre, feasibility, parallel two group, randomised controlled trial. We will investigate the effect of adding 3-months of tele-coaching to usual care (UC) versus UC on daily physical activity levels following lung transplantation.

Planned interventions

Following lung transplantation patients will be randomised to: 1) 3 months of tele-coaching in addition to usual care or 2) usual care. Randomisation will be performed independently, with 1:1 allocation and stratified by functional capacity assessed by the 6-min walk distance immediately prior to hospital discharge. Stratification will ensure that patients in the two groups are matched in terms of post-surgery functional capacity. Additionally, whilst in hospital all patients will receive sessions (1-3) where behavioural strategies will be implemented to promote physical activity.

Semi-automated Tele-coaching

The tele-coaching intervention will last for 3 months and will consist of 1) a one-to-one interview exploring motivational factors, potential physical barriers, preferred and non-preferred activities and strategies to become more active. Patients develop a plan to increase physical activity with the interviewer, based on preferred and achievable activities; 2) a step counter providing direct feedback to the patient; 3) smartphone with tele-coaching application providing an activity goal (daily steps) and feedback on a daily basis. Patients' targets are automatically revised every 7 days based on performance in the preceding week; 4) Booklet containing home exercises, which are available in 3 levels of difficulty and consist of general strengthening and stretching exercises; 5) weekly activity proposals; 6) telephone contacts triggered in the case of failure to transmit data or progress. Patients will be asked to wear the step counter during waking hours and interact with the application on a daily basis.

Whilst on the waiting list and during hospital stay post-surgery patients will be familiarised with the operation of the step counter and will be taught how to monitor their daily activity levels (daily/steps), how to transfer data from the step counter to the smart phone and to the platform and how to follow ques to adjust their daily step goals.

Behavioural strategy sessions

Sessions implementing behavioural strategies to promote physical activity will be administered to all patients. Strategies that will be used include; education on the benefits of physical activity, creating a "pros and cons" list, goal setting, self monitoring and rating achievement/pleasure of physical activities.

Assessments

Whilst on the waiting list patients will be screened for any contraindications and will undertake a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) to assess functional capacity and questionnaires to assess anxiety, depression and health related quality of life (HADS and SF-36). Additionally, patients will be given an accelerometer for 7 days to record daily physical activity levels. Prior to hospital discharge or soon afterwards, the following assessment measures will be undertaken; 6MWT, HADS, SF-36 and daily physical activity levels using an accelerometer. All measures will then be repeated after 3, 6 and 12 months. In addition, a record of hospital admissions and emergency department visits will be taken.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients referred for single or double lung transplant with a primary diagnosis of Interstitial Lung Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Bronchiectasis or Pulmonary Vascular Disease.
2. Males and females aged 18-70 years.
3. Able to provide informed consent
4. Able to speak and read English.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Severe post-transplant critical illness neuromyopathy
2. Bilateral diaphragmatic weakness
3. Presence of any other significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the investigators, may either put the participant at risk because of participation in the study, or may influence the result of the study, or the participant's ability to participate in the study.