[Home-based exercise training and physical activity level over one year in COPD patients]

The aim of our study was to investigate whether exclusive home-based training was feasible and effective in COPD patients and if patients have a persistent improvement in their level of physical activity after this intervention.

One hundred COPD patients (FEV1=42.6% predicted) first underwent 25 weekly sessions of supervised cycle ergometry training, followed by one year of monthly supervised follow-up. Six minutes walking test, endurance test, BODE index and activity monitoring were performed before, after and one year after inclusion.

About 80% of the patients completed the program. They improved their exercise tolerance and their daily physical activity level, even one year after inclusion. However, more severe patients did not maintain these benefits. Daily physical activity quantity was also decreased in these patients one year after inclusion.

This home-based exercise training program is feasible and effective. Improvements are sustainable for the majority of patients. However, severe patients were not able to maintain these benefits. Other exercise training strategies may have to be considered in these patients.