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Effect of Using a Wheeled Walker on Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Randomised Cross-Over Trial

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Abstract

Purpose

To determine the effects of providing a wheeled walker (WW) for use in the home and community, on daily physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods

A randomised cross-over study in which participants with COPD characterised by a 6-min walk distance ≤ 450 m, who had recently finished pulmonary rehabilitation, completed two 5-week phases. During one phase, participants were provided a WW to use, whereas during the other phase, the WW was not available. The order of the phases was randomised. For the final week of each phase, measures of PA and ST were collected using wearable devices and health-related quality of life was measured using the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRDQ). Wheeled walker use was also measured using an odometer attached to the device.

Results

17 participants [FEV1 = median (interquartile range) 33 (25) % pred; ten males] aged mean (SD) 73 (9) years completed the study. Comparing the data collected when the WW was not available for use, the daily step count was greater (mean difference [MD] 707 steps/day (95% confidence interval [CI] 75 to 1340) and participants tended to report less dyspnoea during daily life (MD 0.5 points per item, 95% CI − 0.1 to 1.0) when WW was available. No differences were observed for ST, upright time or stepping time. The WW was used over 4504 m/week (95% CI 2746 to 6262).

Conclusion

These data demonstrated that, when provided to selected patients with COPD, WWs increased daily step count.

Clinical trial registration number: ACTRN12609000332224.

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Funding

Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Research Fund.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia

    Kylie Hill, L. W. Cindy Ng, Vinicius Cavalheri & Sue C. Jenkins

  2. Institute for Respiratory Health, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia

    Kylie Hill, Vinicius Cavalheri & Sue C. Jenkins

  3. Physiotherapy Department, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore

    L. W. Cindy Ng

  4. Physiotherapy Department, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia

    Nola Cecins & Sue C. Jenkins

  5. Physiotherapy Department, Faculdade de Ciências E Tecnologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Presidente Prudente, Brazil

    Vittoria R. Formico

Authors
  1. Kylie Hill
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  2. L. W. Cindy Ng
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  3. Nola Cecins
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  4. Vittoria R. Formico
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  5. Vinicius Cavalheri
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  6. Sue C. Jenkins
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Correspondence to Kylie Hill.

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Hill, K., Ng, L.W.C., Cecins, N. et al. Effect of Using a Wheeled Walker on Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Randomised Cross-Over Trial. Lung 198, 213–219 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-019-00297-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-019-00297-2

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