1-year physical activity coaching programme in lung transplant recipients: an RCT

Most lung transplant (LTX) recipients do not meet physical activity (PA) guidelines. Interventions are needed as long-term inactivity is related to morbidity and mortality. We investigated the effect of a telecoaching programme on objectively measured PA in LTX recipients.

Inactive patients (<7500 steps/day, n=90) were randomised into a light or intensive version of a 1-year PA telecoaching programme. The light intervention consisted of a step counter and a minimal version of the smartphone application. Patients randomised to the intensive intervention discussed PA barriers and goals, received a step counter, a patient-tailored smartphone application and supportive coaching calls. PA (primary outcome, assessed by an accelerometer), physical function, quality of life and symptoms were measured at baseline, after 3 months (primary endpoint) and 1 year. Mixed model analyses were used to investigate the effectiveness of the intervention compared with the light intervention.

Between-group difference in change after 3 months and 1 year was observed as mean (CI) 750 (-96 to 1596) (p=0.08) and 680 (-244 to 1605) steps per day (p=0.15), 10 (-0.5 to 20) and 10 (-1 to 22) min of total moving time (walking, taking stairs and cycling) (both p=0.07) and -3 (-6 to 0) (p=0.07) and -6 (-10 to -2) (p=0.002) of sedentary time, all in favour of the intervention group. Other outcomes did not differ between groups.

PA tends to improve in LTX recipients by following an intensive telecoaching programme compared with a light programme.

NCT04122768.