Functional Tests in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Part 2: Measurement Properties

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Rehabilitation Science
• Functional Assessment

Background:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) significantly impacts morbidity, mortality, and daily functioning.
• Comprehensive COPD management requires assessing lung function, exercise capacity, quality of life, and functional capacity in daily activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review functional tests for assessing upper and lower body functional capacity in COPD patients.
• To guide clinicians in selecting appropriate functional outcome measures for COPD management.
• To evaluate tests based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of functional tests assessing activities of daily living (ADLs) in COPD.
• Evaluation of test validity, reliability, and responsiveness.
• Focus on tests encompassing body positioning, ambulation, and object manipulation.

Main Results:

• The Glittre Activities of Daily Life (ADL) test is identified as a comprehensive and promising tool.
• The Glittre ADL test demonstrates strong links to the ICF framework, covering multiple functional domains.
• Current literature shows a need for further research on the links between functional tests and real-world participation, clinical outcomes, and normative data.

Conclusions:

• Functional capacity assessment is vital for holistic COPD patient care.
• The Glittre ADL test is a recommended tool for evaluating functional capacity in daily life for COPD patients.
• Further research is needed to establish minimal detectable changes, minimal clinically important differences, and normative values for functional tests in COPD.