The effects of a lifestyle physical activity counseling program with feedback of a pedometer during pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD: A pilot study

ObjectiveTo study the effects of a lifestyle physical activity counseling program with feedback of a pedometer during pulmonary rehabilitation.MethodsTwenty-one chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients were randomized to an experimental group that followed a regular rehabilitation program plus the counseling intervention or to a control group that only followed rehabilitation. The primary outcome was daily physical activity assessed by pedometers. Secondary outcomes were physical fitness, health-related quality of life, activities of daily living, depression and self-efficacy.ResultsThe experimental group showed an increase of 1430 steps/day (+69% from baseline), whereas the control group showed an increase of 455 steps/day (+19%) (p = 0.11 for group × time interaction). The secondary outcomes showed no differences.Conclusion and practice implicationsThis study showed that the use of the pedometer, in combination with exercise counseling and the stimulation of lifestyle physical activity, is a feasible addition to pulmonary rehabilitation which may improve outcome and maintenance of rehabilitation results.