Gamper E1, Schmidt U2, Bansi J3, Kool J3
1Rheinburg Clinic, Valens Clinics, Walzenhausen, Switzerland, 2Valens Clinics, Rehabilitation Centre Walenstadtberg, Walenstadtberg, Switzerland, 3Valens Clinics, Rehabilitation Centre Valens, Valens, Switzerland
Background: Exercise can improve walking capacity in persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, most endurance training programs use cycle ergometers.
Purpose: The objectives of this study were: (i) to evaluate the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing outdoor walking training (OWT) to cycle ergometer training (CT) during inpatient rehabilitation in persons with severe COPD (pwCOPD); (ii) to estimate the effect of OWT and CT on health-related quality of life, physical capacity and physical activity; and (iii) to estimate the required sample size for a RCT.
Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled feasibility trial was conducted with three months´ follow-up in the rehabilitation center Walenstadtberg, Switzerland.
Results: Sixteen patients were included in the study, which had a recruitment rate of 33% (16/48). Patients were allocated to OWT (n=8) or CT (n=8) groups. Participants completed 75% of scheduled training and the follow-up rate was 75%. All participants in the OWT group were satisfied with the training. The OWT group had better health-related quality of life after three weeks´ training compared to the CT group (effect size (d)=1.19, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.4-1. No exacerbations occurred in the OWT group, but three occurred in the CT group during three months´ follow-up. There was no significant difference in the other outcomes.
Conclusion(s): In conclusion, the study design and the OWT are feasible. Health-related quality of life improved in the OWT group compared to the CT group after three weeks´ inpatient rehabilitation. A minimum of 40 participants is needed for a RCT.
Implications: OWT increase health-related quality of life and can be recommended for use as a supplement to inpatient rehabilitation for pwCOPD.
Keywords: COPD, interval training, quality of life
Funding acknowledgements: This study was financially supported by Valens Clinics.
Purpose: The objectives of this study were: (i) to evaluate the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing outdoor walking training (OWT) to cycle ergometer training (CT) during inpatient rehabilitation in persons with severe COPD (pwCOPD); (ii) to estimate the effect of OWT and CT on health-related quality of life, physical capacity and physical activity; and (iii) to estimate the required sample size for a RCT.
Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled feasibility trial was conducted with three months´ follow-up in the rehabilitation center Walenstadtberg, Switzerland.
Results: Sixteen patients were included in the study, which had a recruitment rate of 33% (16/48). Patients were allocated to OWT (n=8) or CT (n=8) groups. Participants completed 75% of scheduled training and the follow-up rate was 75%. All participants in the OWT group were satisfied with the training. The OWT group had better health-related quality of life after three weeks´ training compared to the CT group (effect size (d)=1.19, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.4-1. No exacerbations occurred in the OWT group, but three occurred in the CT group during three months´ follow-up. There was no significant difference in the other outcomes.
Conclusion(s): In conclusion, the study design and the OWT are feasible. Health-related quality of life improved in the OWT group compared to the CT group after three weeks´ inpatient rehabilitation. A minimum of 40 participants is needed for a RCT.
Implications: OWT increase health-related quality of life and can be recommended for use as a supplement to inpatient rehabilitation for pwCOPD.
Keywords: COPD, interval training, quality of life
Funding acknowledgements: This study was financially supported by Valens Clinics.
Topic: Cardiorespiratory
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Science
Ethics committee: Ethics Committee Ostschweiz
Ethics number: (EKOS2016-00666)
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
