A Long-Term Physical Activity Coaching Program for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Randomized...

Rationale: Physical activity (PA) is decreased in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). PA coaching interventions are effective to improve PA in the short term, yet long-term effects are lacking. Providing an individualized step goal, feedback, and regular contact with a coach might be important aspects to obtain a long-term effect. Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of a 12-month fully deployed PA coaching intervention to improve and maintain PA in patients with COPD, compared with a light coaching intervention. Methods: In this multicenter, single-blind randomized controlled trial, participants were randomized to either a full coaching intervention (including an activity tracker and a smartphone application with dynamic goal setting, regular feedback, and contact with a coach) or a light PA coaching group (including an activity tracker, a fixed step goal, and limited feedback or contact with a coach). Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Measurements and Main Results: One hundred fifty participants with COPD were randomized to the full (n = 77) and light (n = 73) coaching groups. No between-group differences were observed for objectively measured PA and perceived amount of PA measured with the Clinical Visit-PROactive Physical Activity instrument at 6-month follow-up (172 ± 367 steps/d [P = 0.64] and 2.5 ± 2.2 points [P = 0.26], respectively) and at 12-month follow-up (-43 ± 372 steps/d [P = 0.91] and 2.1 ± 2.2 points [P = 0.34], respectively). Responder rates were similar for the full and light coaching groups at 12 months (19% and 22%, respectively). Conclusions: A full coaching intervention providing dynamic individualized step goals, adequate feedback, and regular contact with a coach did not have additional effects on PA at 12 months compared with a light coaching intervention. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04139200).