Promotion of physical activity after hospitalization for COPD exacerbation: A randomized control trial

Physical activity worsens during exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and notably after hospitalizations. Pedometer-based interventions are useful to increase physical activity in stable patients with COPD. However, there is little information concerning the implementation of such programs following severe exacerbation. This study assessed the efficacy of a physical activity program after hospitalization for a COPD exacerbation.

We performed a prospective, 12-week, parallel group, assessor-blinded, randomized control trial in COPD patients hospitalized for an exacerbation. After discharge, physical activity and other secondary variables were assessed. Patients were allocated (1:1) to a physical activity promotion program (intervention group, IG) or usual care (control group, CG). Based on a motivational interview and accelerometer physical activity assessment, a patient-tailored, pedometer-based, progressive and target-driven program was designed. Linear mixed effect models were used to analyse between-group differences.

Forty-six out of 61 patients recruited were randomized and 43 (IG = 20, CG = 23) completed the study. In-hospital and baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. After 12 weeks of intervention, the mean steps difference between groups was 2093 steps/day, p = 0.018, 95% CI 376-4012, favouring the IG. Only the IG significantly increased the number of steps/day compared to baseline (mean difference [95% CI] 2932 [1069-4795] steps; p = 0.004). There were no other between-group differences.

After hospitalization for a COPD exacerbation, a patient-tailored physical activity program based on a motivational interview and the use of pedometers, with progressive and customized targets, improved the number of steps/day.