Effects of Physical Activity Counseling After an Exacerbation in COPD

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Severe exacerbations are prevalent in a subgroup of patients with COPD and generally warrant a hospitalization. During the hospitalization, patients are extremely physically inactive with only a limited recovery one month after discharge. Physical inactivity is associated with negative health benefits. Therefore intervening in the period after and exacerbation seems useful to improve the levels of physical activity. Physical activity counseling and real-time feedback have already been applied in stable patients with COPD, with beneficial effects.The present study will investigate whether this specific intervention will help to improve the activity level in patients after an acute exacerbation. Further we investigated the effects of the intervention on improvements in functional exercise capacity.

Detailed Description
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After signing the informed consent, the patients will be randomized into a control group, receiving usual care, or the intervention group receiving real-time feedback and physical activity counseling. Intervention: Physical activity counseling will be provided by 3 weekly telephone contacts based on the step count from the Fitbit Ultra. In agreement with the patient and based on the step counts a patients provided, a new goal for the next week was set. The goal was to strive for the highest possible level of physical activity during one month.

Official Title
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The Effects of a Physical Activity Counseling Program Immediately After an Exacerbation in Patients With COPD.

Conditions
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COPD Exacerbation

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Physical activity


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Signed Informed Consent Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (Tiff<70%) Hospitalized because of exacerbation Capable of working with electronic devices Exclusion Criteria: Orthopedic/Neurologic problems making it difficult to be active Participation in a rehabilitation program

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 40 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

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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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Physical activity<br>The fitbit Ultra was used to provide real-time feedback on physical activity. An experienced physiotherapist contacted the subjects 3 times a week to receive information about the amount of steps from the previous days. In agreement with the patient, a new goal for the coming weeks was set and patients were motivated to achieve their individual goal. | Behavioral: Physical activity<br>* Counseling about physical activity will only be provided in the intervention group by 3 weekly telephone contacts. Based on the information the physiotherapist receives, he or she will adapt the goal (in agreement with the patient) and motivate the patient to reach the individual goal.<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Usual Care<br>During the hospital stay, the patients in the control group will be informed about the beneficial effects of being physically inactive.They will not receive feedback about their activities performed and will not be stimulated to become more active. | Behavioral: Physical activity<br>* Counseling about physical activity will only be provided in the intervention group by 3 weekly telephone contacts. Based on the information the physiotherapist receives, he or she will adapt the goal (in agreement with the patient) and motivate the patient to reach the individual goal.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Improvement in physical activity | The Dynaport MoveMonitor, a valid device in patients with COPD, was used to accurately measure the level of physical activity. The device was provided 3 times to the patients (baseline, after 2 weeks, after 1 month). The amount of steps, measured by this device, was used as the outcome measure. | 1 month | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Improvement in functional exercise capacity | Functional exercise capacity was measured by the six minutes walking distance test (6MWD; meter). This measurement was performed at baseline and after 1 month. | 1 month | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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physical activity, COPD, activity monitors