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

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• Behavioral Medicine
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Physical activity (PA) is significantly reduced in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
• While PA coaching interventions show short-term effectiveness, long-term PA maintenance in COPD remains a challenge.
• Individualized goals, feedback, and regular coach contact are hypothesized to be key for sustained PA improvements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the 12-month effectiveness of a comprehensive PA coaching intervention versus a light coaching intervention for improving and maintaining PA in COPD patients.
• To compare the impact of dynamic, individualized goals and regular feedback against fixed goals and limited contact on long-term PA levels.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter, single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 150 COPD participants.
• Participants were randomized into either a full coaching group (FCG) or a light coaching group (LCG).
• The FCG received an activity tracker, a smartphone app with dynamic goal setting, regular feedback, and coach contact, while the LCG received an activity tracker, a fixed step goal, and limited support. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6, and 12 months.

Main Results:

• No significant between-group differences were found in objectively measured PA or perceived PA at 6 or 12 months.
• At 12 months, the full coaching group showed a change of -43±372 steps/day (p=0.91) and the light coaching group showed no significant change in PA.
• Responder rates were similar between the FCG (19%) and LCG (22%) at 12 months.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive PA coaching intervention did not provide additional benefits for improving or maintaining PA in COPD patients compared to a light coaching intervention over 12 months.
• The findings suggest that dynamic individualized goals, extensive feedback, and regular coach contact may not yield superior long-term PA outcomes in this population.
• Further research is needed to identify effective strategies for long-term PA maintenance in COPD.