Beyond pulmonary rehabilitation: can the PICk UP programme fill the gap? A randomised trial in COPD

• Published in: Pulmonology 2024-05
• Main Authors: Rebelo, P., Brooks, D., Cravo, J., Mendes, M.A., Oliveira, A.C., Rijo, A.S., Moura, M.J., Marques, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chronic obstructive; Community integration; Community resources; Physical activity; Pulmonary disease
• ISSN: 2531-0437; 2531-0437
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pulmoe.2024.04.001

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a fundamental intervention to manage COPD, however, maintaining its benefits is challenging. Engaging in physical activity might help to prolong PR benefits. This study assessed the efficacy and effectiveness of a personalised community-based physical activity programme to sustain physical activity and other health-related PR benefits, in people with COPD. This was a multicentre, assessor blinded, randomised controlled trial. Following 12-weeks of PR, people with COPD were assigned to a six-months personalised community-based physical activity programme (experimental group), or to standard care (control group). Physical activity was assessed via: time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activities per day (primary outcome measure), steps/day and the brief physical activity assessment tool. Secondary outcomes included sedentary behaviour, functional status, peripheral muscle strength, balance, symptoms, emotional state, health-related quality of life, exacerbations and healthcare utilization. Assessments were performed immediately post-PR and after three- and six-months. Efficacy and effectiveness were evaluated using intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis with linear mixed models. Sixty-one participants (experimental group: n = 32; control group: n = 29), with balanced baseline characteristics between groups (69.6 ± 8.5 years old, 84 % male, FEV1 57.1 ± 16.7 %predicted) were included. Changes in all physical activity outcomes and in one-minute sit-to-stand were significantly different (P