Acute Exacerbation of COPD and Physical Activity - Preliminary Study

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are very sedentary and efforts to establish an active lifestyle are challenging because of periodic acute exacerbations of COPD that interrupt physical activity patterns and contribute to further decline in physical activity. The purpose of this preliminary research is to learn more about the experience of acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) from the perspective of the patient and his/her family and to learn how AECOPDs affect physical activity.

Detailed Description
-----------------
Individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are very sedentary and their physical activity is often interrupted by acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). Little is known about the expectations had by individuals with COPD and the effects of these expectations on their physical activity. To increase the understanding of these expectations in people with COPD, a study is proposed to explore their experience of daily fluctuations in symptoms and AECOPDs, focusing on how these experiences influence health promoting behaviors, especially physical activity (PA). This study will involve an enrollment visit during which consent will be obtained, survey data will be administered (that they may take home), spirometry testing will be conducted, and a physical activity monitor (ActivPAL device) will be applied to be worn one week to allow us to understand their usual PA. A clinical ethnographic interview will then be conducted one week following enrollment, at which point the questionnaires and ActivPAL device will be collected. A second clinical ethnographic interview will be conducted one week following the first. Survey data will again collected at week 15 by mail.

Official Title
-----------------
Acute Exacerbation of COPD and Physical Activity - Preliminary Study

Conditions
-----------------
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: People who have emphysema or chronic bronchitis as their primary health problem People who have had a respiratory infection or an exacerbation of their COPD within the last year. People who are 55 years or older Family member of someone who meets the above criteria. Exclusion Criteria: Other lung diseases as their primary pulmonary problem. Mobility problems that limit physical activity

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| People with COPD & recent exacerbation<br>The group consists of people with COPD who have had an exacerbation in the last year. | |

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Physical activity during AECOPD | Subjects will be asked to report how they managed their physical activity during the last AECOPD. Current physical activity will be measured with accelerometry and by the CHAMPS questionnaire. | week 1 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sense of coherence | Questionnaire that measures one's global orientation to life and the extent to which one sees life as comprehensible, manageable and meaningful. | week 1 and week 15 | 
| Barriers efficacy scale | Questionnaire that measures barriers to exercise and physical activity. The subjects reports the level of confidence they have that they can overcome each barrier. | week 1 week 15 | 
| Help seeking behavior | Questionnaire assesses help seeking with respect to healthcare services. | week 1 and week 15 | 
| COPD Stigma Scale | Questionnaire measures the stigma associated with having COPD. | week 1 and week 15 |