Balance Training for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The study will involve direct knowledge translation of a laboratory-based study of balance training for patients with COPD, first to the investigators PR program and then, after disseminating the results, this approach could be used to impact on clinical practice in any PR program.

Official Title
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Balance Training for COPD in Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR): An Effectiveness Study

Conditions
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Balance training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of COPD Self-report of decline in balance or fall in the last 5 years or a recent near fall Smoking history greater than 10 pack years Are able to provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: An inability to communicate because of language skills, hearing or cognitive impairment Evidence of a neurological or musculoskeletal condition that severely limits mobility and postural control (e.g., cerebrovascular accident, advanced Parkinson's disease, amputation).
Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease<br> | Other: Balance training<br>* Training will consist of 30 minute sessions 2-3 times/week for a total of 18-24 sessions, in keeping with best practice guidelines for older adults.12 Sessions will be supervised by physical therapists, using a circuit training approach with different stations designed to target specific areas of impairment. Participants will work through stations in a group setting; however, will receive individualized exercise prescription regarding level of difficulty and exercise progression.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Berg Balance Scale (BBS) | The BBS was assessed following completion of the balance training which took place thrice weekly for a period of 6 weeks. | at 6 weeks | 
| Timed Up and Go (TUG): | The TUG was assessed following completion of the balance training which took place thrice weekly for a period of 6 weeks. | at 6 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) | The BESTest was assessed following completion of the balance training which took place thrice weekly for a period of 6 weeks. | at 6 weeks | 
| Activity-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale | The ABC scale was assessed following completion of the balance training which took place thrice weekly for a period of 6 weeks. | at 6 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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COPD, Balance, Pulmonary Rehabilitation