Search

Physical activity (PA) is of key importance for health among healthy persons and individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). PA has multiple dimensions that can be assessed and quantified objectively using activity monitors. Moreover, as shown in the published literature, variable methodologies have been used to date to quantify PA among individuals with COPD, precluding clear comparisons of outcomes across studies. The present paper aims to provide a summary of the available literature for the rationale behind using objectively measured PA and proposes a standardized methodology for assessment, including standard operating procedures for future research. The present paper, therefore, describes the concept of PA, reports on the importance of PA, summarizes the dimensions of PA, provides a standard operating procedure on how to monitor PA using objective assessments, and describes the psychometric properties of objectively measured PA. The present international task force recommends implementation of the standard operating procedure for PA data collection and reporting in the future. This should further clarify the relationship between PA and clinical outcomes, test the impact of treatment interventions on PA in individuals with COPD, and successfully propose a PA endpoint for regulatory qualification in the future. ispartof: CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASES-JOURNAL OF THE COPD FOUNDATION vol:8 issue:4 pages:528-550 ispartof: location:United States status: published

In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated skeletal muscle strength and physical performance (1-min sit-to-stand and short physical performance battery tests), dyspnea, fatigue, and single-breath counting at discharge from a postacute COVID department, in patients recovering from COVID-19 pneumonia who had no locomotor disability before the infection.Quadriceps and biceps were weak in 86% and 73% of the patients, respectively. Maximal voluntary contraction for quadriceps was 18.9 (6.8) kg and for biceps 15.0 (5.5) kg (i.e., 54% and 69% of the predicted normal value, respectively). The number of chair rises in the 1-min sit-to-stand test was 22.1 (7.3 corresponding to 63% of the predicted normal value), whereas the short physical performance battery score was 7.9 (3.3 corresponding to 74% of the predicted normal value). At the end of the 1-min sit-to-stand test, 24% of the patients showed exercise-induced desaturation. The single-breath counting count was 35.4 (12.3) corresponding to 72% that of healthy controls. Mild-to-moderate dyspnea and fatigue were found during activities of daily living (Borg scale score, median value = 0.5 [0-2] and 1 [0-2]) and after the 1-min sit-to-stand (Borg scale score, median value = 3 [2-5] and 1 [0-3]). Significant correlations were observed between muscle strength and physical performance indices (R = 0.31-0.69).The high prevalence of impairment in skeletal muscle strength and physical performance in hospitalized patients recovering from COVID-19 pneumonia without previous locomotor disabilities suggests the need for rehabilitation programs after discharge. ispartof: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION vol:100 issue:2 pages:105-109 ispartof: location:United States status: published

Introduction Apart from its adverse effects on the respiratory system, cigarette smoking also induces skeletal muscle atrophy and dysfunction. Whether short-term smoking cessation can restore muscle mass and function is unknown. We, therefore, studied the impact of 1- and 2-week smoking cessation on skeletal muscles in a mouse model. Methods Male mice were divided into four groups: Air-exposed (14 weeks); cigarette smoke (CS)-exposed (14 weeks); CS-exposed (13 weeks) followed by 1-week cessation; CS-exposed (12 weeks) followed by 2 weeks cessation to examine exercise capacity, physical activity levels, body composition, muscle function, capillarization, mitochondrial function and protein expression in the soleus, plantaris, and diaphragm muscles. Results CS-induced loss of body and muscle mass was significantly improved within 1 week of cessation due to increased lean and fat mass. Mitochondrial respiration and protein levels of the respiratory complexes in the soleus were lower in CS-exposed mice, but similar to control values after 2 weeks of cessation. Exposing isolated soleus muscles to CS extracts reduced mitochondrial respiration that was reversed after removing the extract. While physical activity was reduced in all groups, exercise capacity, limb muscle force, fatigue resistance, fiber size and capillarization, and diaphragm cytoplasmic HIF-1α were unaltered by CS-exposure. However, CS-induced diaphragm atrophy and increased capillary density were not seen after 2 weeks of smoking cessation. Conclusion In male mice, 2 weeks of smoking cessation reversed smoking-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, limb muscle mass loss, and diaphragm muscle atrophy, highlighting immediate benefits of cessation on skeletal muscles. Implications Our study demonstrates that CS-induced skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction and atrophy are significantly improved by 2 weeks of cessation in male mice. We show for the first time that smoking cessation as short as 1 to 2 weeks is associated with immediate beneficial effects on skeletal muscle structure and function with the diaphragm being particularly sensitive to CS-exposure and cessation. This could help motivate smokers to quit smoking as early as possible. The knowledge that smoking cessation has potential positive extrapulmonary effects is particularly relevant for patients referred to rehabilitation programs and those admitted to hospitals suffering from acute or chronic muscle deterioration yet struggling with smoking cessation.

BACKGROUND: Reduced physical activity is common in COPD and is associated with poor outcomes. Physical activity is therefore a worthy target for intervention in clinical trials; however, trials evaluating physical activity have used heterogeneous methods. RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the available evidence on the efficacy and/or effectiveness of various interventions to enhance objectively measured physical activity in patients with COPD, taking into account the minimal preferred methodologic quality of physical activity assessment? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In this narrative review, the COPD Biomarker Qualification Consortium (CBQC) task force searched three scientific databases for articles that reported the effect of an intervention on objectively measured physical activity in COPD. Based on scientific literature and expert consensus, only studies with ≥ 7 measurement days and ≥ 4 valid days of ≥ 8 h of monitoring were included in the primary analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-seven of 110 (34%) identified studies fulfilled the criteria, investigating the efficacy and/or effectiveness of physical activity behavior change programs (n = 7), mobile or electronic-health interventions (n = 9), rehabilitative exercise (n = 9), bronchodilation (n = 6), lung volume reduction procedures (n = 3), and other interventions (n = 3). Results are generally variable, reflecting the large differences in study characteristics and outcomes. Few studies show an increase beyond the proposed minimal important change of 600 to 1100 daily steps, indicating that enhancing physical activity levels is a challenge. INTERPRETATION: Only one-third of clinical trials measuring objective physical activity in people with COPD fulfilled the preset criteria regarding physical activity assessment. Studies showed variable effects on physical activity even when investigating similar interventions. ispartof: CHEST vol:160 issue:6 pages:2080-2100 ispartof: location:United States status: published

Vitamin D deficiency, which is highly prevalent in the general population, exerts similar deleterious effects on skeletal muscles to those induced by cigarette smoking. We examined whether cigarette smoke (CS) exposure and/or vitamin D deficiency impairs the skeletal muscle hypertrophic response to overload. Male C57Bl/6JolaH mice on a normal or vitamin D-deficient diet were exposed to CS or room air for 18 wk. Six weeks after initiation of smoke or air exposure, sham surgery or denervation of the agonists of the left plantaris muscle was performed. The right leg served as internal control. Twelve weeks later, the hypertrophic response was assessed. CS exposure instigated loss of body and muscle mass, and increased lung inflammatory cell infiltration (P < 0.05), independently of diet. Maximal exercise capacity, whole body strength, in situ plantaris muscle force, and key markers of hypertrophic signaling (Akt, 4EBP1, and FoxO1) were not significantly affected by smoking or diet. The increase in plantaris muscle fiber cross-sectional area in response to overload was attenuated in vitamin D-deficient CS-exposed mice (smoking × diet interaction for hypertrophy, P = 0.03). In situ fatigue resistance was elevated in hypertrophied plantaris, irrespective of vitamin D deficiency and/or CS exposure. In conclusion, our data show that CS exposure or vitamin D deficiency alone did not attenuate the hypertrophic response of overloaded plantaris muscles, but this hypertrophic response was weakened when both conditions were combined. These data suggest that current smokers who also present with vitamin D deficiency may be less likely to respond to a training program.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Plantaris hypertrophy caused by compensatory overload after denervation of the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles showed increased mass and fiber dimensions, but to a lesser extent when vitamin D deficiency was combined with cigarette smoking. Fatigue resistance was elevated in hypertrophied plantaris, irrespective of diet or smoking, whereas physical fitness, hypertrophic markers, and in situ plantaris force were similar. These data showed that the hypertrophic response to overload is attenuated when both conditions are combined. ispartof: JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY vol:131 issue:1 pages:339-351 ispartof: location:United States status: published

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a highly effective treatment for people with chronic lung disease but remains underused across the world. Recent years have seen the emergence of new program models that aim to improve access and uptake, including telerehabilitation and low-cost, home-based models. This workshop was convened to achieve consensus on the essential components of pulmonary rehabilitation and to identify requirements for successful implementation of emerging program models. A Delphi process involving experts from across the world identified 13 essential components of pulmonary rehabilitation that must be delivered in any program model, encompassing patient assessment, program content, method of delivery, and quality assurance, as well as 27 desirable components. Only those models of pulmonary rehabilitation that have been tested in clinical trials are currently considered as ready for implementation. The characteristics of patients most likely to succeed in each program model are not yet known, and research is needed in this area. Health professionals should use clinical judgment to determine those patients who are best served by a center-based, multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. A comprehensive patient assessment is critical for personalization of pulmonary rehabilitation and for effectively addressing individual patient goals. Robust quality-assurance processes are important to ensure that any pulmonary rehabilitation service delivers optimal outcomes for patients and health services. Workforce capacity-building and training should consider the skills necessary for emerging models, many of which are delivered remotely. The success of all pulmonary rehabilitation models will be judged on whether the essential components are delivered and on whether the expected patient outcomes, including improved exercise capacity, reduced dyspnea, enhanced health-related quality of life, and reduced hospital admissions, are achieved.

Purpose: Longitudinal data on the effect of time and environmental conditions on physical activity (PA) among COPD patients are currently scarce, but this is an important factor in the design of trials to test interventions that might impact on it. Thus, we aimed to assess the effect of time and climate conditions (temperature, day length and rainfall) on progression of PA in a cohort of COPD patients. Patients and methods: This is a prospective, multicenter, cohort study undertaken as part of the EU/IMI PROactive project, in which we assessed 236 COPD patients simultaneously wearing two activity monitors (Dynaport MiniMod and Actigraph GT3X). A multivariable generalized linear model analysis was conducted to describe the effect of the explanatory variables on PA measures, over three time points (baseline, 6 and 12 months). Results: At 12 months (n= 157; FEV1% predicted = 57.7 +/- 21.9) there was a significant reduction in all PA measures (Actigraph step count (4284 +/- 3533 vs 3533 +/- 293)), Actigraph moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA ratio (8.8 (18.8) vs 6.1 (15.7)), Actigraph vector magnitude units (374,902.4 (265,269) vs 336,240 (214,432)), MiniMod walking time (59.1 (34.9) vs 56.9 (38.7) mins) and MiniMod PA intensity (0.183 (0) vs 0.181 (0)). Time had a significant, negative effect on most PA measures in multivariable analysis, after correcting for climate factors, study center, age, FEV1% predicted, 6MWD and other disease severity measures. Rainfall was the only climate factor with a negative effect on most PA parameters. Conclusion: COPD patients demonstrate a significant decrease in PA over 1 year follow-up, which is further affected by hours of rainfall, but not by other climate considerations.

Physical activity is important to maintain health. Patients who reduce their physical activity are at increased risk of developing comorbidities and faster decline in health. Interventions to enhance physical activity require a behavior change from patients and these interventions have become increasingly popular in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, few interventions have shown long-term effects and all focused on enhancing physical activity rather than the maintenance thereof. In patients with very low exercise tolerance or with significant symptom burden, enhancing physical activity be difficult and interventions should first focus on enhancing exercise tolerance.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is an important treatment for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although this intervention leads to large and clinically meaningful improvements in exercise capacity and quality of life, the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on physical activity is controversial. Physical activity is lower in patients with COPD as compared to healthy age-matched controls and it is related to important health outcomes (e.g. increased risk of mortality and hospitalization). It is an important goal for rehabilitation programs to enhance physical activity to more normal levels in order to achieve the ultimate goal of rehabilitation 'to improve adherence to health enhancing behaviors'. This review discusses the role of physical activity in the context of pulmonary rehabilitation and possible ways to embed interventions geared to behavior change (i.e. to enhance physical activity) and exercise training (i.e. to enhance physical fitness) into comprehensive rehabilitation programs for patients with COPD.

Introduction In this analysis of the PHYSACTO® study, we assessed the efficacy of a self-management behaviour modification (SMBM) programme to improve physical activity (PA) levels, and the extent to which effects were mediated by readiness to change, motivation and confidence. Methods PHYSACTO® was a randomised, partially double-blind, parallel-group, 12-week trial to evaluate the effects of treatment on exercise capacity and PA. COPD patients received placebo, tiotropium 5 µg or tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 µg, with or without exercise training, all with an SMBM intervention (the Living Well with COPD programme). Changes were assessed in readiness to change (stage of change visual analogue scale [VAS]), motivation (Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire [TSRQ]) and confidence (Perceived Competence Scale [PCS]) to engage in PA. Results PA was increased in all patients with complete PA data at Week 12 (n=262; +6038 steps·week−1, p, Self-management improves motivation and confidence to engage in physical activity in COPD patients in PHYSACTO https://bit.ly/2MKoPSy

BackgroundThe Daily-PROactive and Clinical visit-PROactive Physical Activity (D-PPAC and C-PPAC) instruments in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) combines questionnaire with activity monitor data to measure patients’ experience of physical activity. Their amount, difficulty and total scores range from 0 (worst) to 100 (best) but require further psychometric evaluation.ObjectiveTo test reliability, validity and responsiveness, and to define minimal important difference (MID), of the D-PPAC and C-PPAC instruments, in a large population of patients with stable COPD from diverse severities, settings and countries.MethodsWe used data from seven randomised controlled trials to evaluate D-PPAC and C-PPAC internal consistency and construct validity by sex, age groups, COPD severity, country and language as well as responsiveness to interventions, ability to detect change and MID.ResultsWe included 1324 patients (mean (SD) age 66 (8) years, forced expiratory volume in 1 s 55 (17)% predicted). Scores covered almost the full range from 0 to 100, showed strong internal consistency after stratification and correlated as a priori hypothesised with dyspnoea, health-related quality of life and exercise capacity. Difficulty scores improved after pharmacological treatment and pulmonary rehabilitation, while amount scores improved after behavioural physical activity interventions. All scores were responsive to changes in self-reported physical activity experience (both worsening and improvement) and to the occurrence of COPD exacerbations during follow-up. The MID was estimated to 6 for amount and difficulty scores and 4 for total score.ConclusionsThe D-PPAC and C-PPAC instruments are reliable and valid across diverse COPD populations and responsive to pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions and changes in clinically relevant variables.

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) coaching is effective to increase PA in patients with COPD. The effect of a coaching intervention on patients’ experienced difficulty with and amount of PA is unknown. Methods: To investigate the effect of tele coaching, 73 patients with COPD (mean±SD FEV1: 1.33±0.55l; 6MWD: 506±76m; PA: 4988±2442 steps/day) who finished 3 months of pulmonary rehabilitation were randomized in either the intervention (IG) or control group (CG). The IG received PA coaching with smartphone application (from baseline to 6m) followed by a maintenance PA program (3m). Mean daily steps were objectively measured; patients’ experience on PA was captured by the PROactive tool (clinical visit). Analyses are based on 31 patients in IG and 30 patients in CG. Results: PA coaching significantly improved mean step count compared to CG (between group differences mean±SE at 6m: 1889±684 steps/day; p Conclusion: PA coaching tends to improve experienced amount of PA, but did not significantly alter the experienced difficulty with PA. To impact on difficulty with PA, other interventions alleviating symptoms might be necessary.

We compared the perception and neural processing of respiratory sensations between 20 COPD patients and 20 healthy controls by means of respiratory-related evoked potentials (RREP) in the electroencephalogram (EEG). RREPs were induced by short inspiratory occlusions while 129-channel EEG was measured. COPD patients rated the occlusions as more intense and unpleasant (p's < 0.001) and showed higher mean amplitudes for the RREP components P1 (p = 0.0004), N1 (p = 0.024), P2 (p = 0.019), and P3 (p = 0.018). Our results indicate that COPD patients demonstrate greater perception and neural processing of respiratory sensations, which presumably reflects the highly aversive and attention-demanding character of these sensations for COPD patients. ispartof: FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY vol:11 ispartof: location:Switzerland status: published

The development of contractile muscle fatigue (CMF) affects training responses in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Downhill walking induces CMF with lower dyspnoea and fatigue than level walking. This study compared the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) comprising downhill walking training (DT) to PR comprising level walking (conventional training (CT)) in patients with COPD. In this randomised controlled trial, 35 patients (62±8 years; forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) 50±17% predicted) were randomised to DT or CT. Exercise tolerance (6-minute walk test distance (6MWD); primary outcome), muscle function, symptoms, quality-of-life and physical activity levels were assessed before and after PR. Absolute training changes and the proportion of patients exceeding the 30 m 6MWD minimally important difference (MID) were compared between groups. Quadriceps muscle biopsies were collected after PR in a subset of patients to examine physiological responses to long-term eccentric training. No between-group differences were observed in absolute 6MWD improvement (mean 6MWD change 77±46 m DT versus 56±47 m CT; p=0.45), however 94% of patients in DT exceeded the 6MWD MID compared to 65% in CT ( p=0.03). Patients in DT tended to have larger improvements than CT in other outcomes. Muscle biopsy analyses did not differ between groups. PR incorporating downhill walking confers similar magnitudes of effects to PR with conventional walking across clinical outcomes in patients with COPD, however, offers a more reliable stimulus to maximise the achievement of clinically relevant gains in functional exercise tolerance in people with COPD : C.A. Camillo and F.M. Rodrigues were recipient of CNPq/Brazil fellowship (202425/2011–8); C.R. Osadnik is a recipient of a European Respiratory Society Fellowship (LTRF 2014–3132); T. Troosters is supported by Flemish Research Foundation (FWO # G·0871·13); H. Demeyer was the recipient of a joint ERS/SEPAR Fellowship (LTRF 2015). Funding information for this article has been deposited with the Crossref Funder Registry

BACKGROUND: Consumer-based activity trackers are used to measure and improve physical activity. However, the accuracy of these devices as clinical endpoint or coaching tool is unclear. We investigated the use of two activity trackers as measuring and coaching tool in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and healthy age-matched controls. METHODS: Daily steps were measured by two consumer-based activity trackers (Fitbit Zip, worn at the hip and Fitbit Alta, worn at the wrist) and a validated activity monitor (Dynaport Movemonitor) in 28 patients with COPD and 14 healthy age-matched controls for 14 consecutive days. To investigate the accuracy of the activity trackers as a clinical endpoint, mean step count per patient were compared with the reference activity monitor and agreement was investigated by Bland-Altman plots. To evaluate the accuracy of activity trackers as coaching tool, day-by-day differences within patients were calculated for all three devices. Additionally, consistency of ranking daily steps between the activity trackers and accelerometer was investigated by Kendall correlation coefficient. RESULTS: As a measuring tool, the hip worn activity tracker significantly underestimates daily step count in patients with COPD as compared to DAM (mean±SD Δ-1112±872 steps/day; p

Psychological factors such as negative affect have been demonstrated to impact course and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, little is known about the respective impact of social factors. In several other chronic diseases, loneliness has been shown to predict morbidity, but little is known about its impact on COPD. Therefore, this study examined the associations between loneliness and outcome measures of a pulmonary rehabilitation program (PR). Before and after a 3-week inpatient PR program, patients with COPD (N = 104) underwent a 6-min walking test to measure functional exercise capacity. Loneliness was assessed with the Loneliness Scale. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short form, 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, and 7-item General Anxiety Disorder questionnaire were administered as measures of health-related quality of life (HQoL), depression, and anxiety, respectively. Multiple regression analyses showed that at the start of PR, more loneliness was associated with worse levels of functional exercise capacity, HQoL, depression, and anxiety, but with greater improvements in functional exercise capacity and HQoL over the course of PR, even after controlling for age, sex, lung function, and smoking status. Patients with stronger decreases in loneliness from start to end of PR showed stronger improvements in functional exercise capacity and HQoL over the course of PR. The present study shows that subjective loneliness is associated with relevant treatment outcomes in patients with COPD undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation. Therefore, loneliness should be addressed in patients with COPD as it could play a significant role in their disease progression. ispartof: COPD-JOURNAL OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE vol:15 issue:5 pages:446-453 ispartof: location:England status: published

This study explored the impact of a self-management behaviour modification (SMBM) programme with/without bronchodilators and with/without exercise training (ExT) to improve daily physical activity on psychological and cognitive outcomes in COPD patients as a secondary analysis of the PHYSACTO trial. A 12-week, four-group, randomised, partially double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial of SMBM in addition to tiotropium 5 µg, tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 µg, tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 µg plus ExT, or placebo was conducted in 304 patients. Outcomes included anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)-A), depression (HADS-D and Patient-Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9) and cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)). All outcomes showed statistically and clinically significant improvements after 12 weeks independent of treatment group. However, greater improvements in HADS-A and MoCA were seen in patients who exhibited greater increases in physical activity and exercise capacity, respectively, whereas greater improvements in HADS-D and PHQ-9 were seen in patients who exhibited increases in either physical activity or exercise capacity. The results indicate that SMBM with/without bronchodilators or ExT was associated with improved psychological and cognitive functioning. Anxiety reduced with increased physical activity, cognitive function improved with increased exercise capacity, and depression reduced with increases in either physical activity or exercise capacity. Interventions that increase daily physical activity or exercise capacity may improve psychological and cognitive outcomes in COPD., Behavioural modification adjunct to bronchodilator therapy and exercise training to increase exercise capacity and physical activity can also be beneficial for improving anxiety, cognitive function and depression in patients with COPD http://bit.ly/33ZufNM

ispartof: ARCHIVOS DE BRONCONEUMOLOGIA vol:55 issue:11 pages:551-552 ispartof: location:Spain status: published

In the last decade significant research has focused on the relationship between physical activity (PA), exercise and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The purpose of this study is to provide an overview and interpretation of different studies regarding this subject.PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched for English articles published before August 21, 2017. Search terms were 'Sleep Apnea, Obstructive' and 'Exercise'.Low levels of PA are associated with higher odds of OSA. A negative correlation between PA level and OSA severity is shown, even after adjusting for baseline differences. OSA also impairs the aerobic exercise capacity significantly. OSA patients have a poor hemodynamic response to exercise, which is related to OSA severity. Findings on the influence of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on PA in OSA are inconsistent in terms of statistical significance. A regular and predominantly aerobic exercise training significantly reduces OSA severity, even without a significant decrease in body weight.The available evidence suggests that further research is necessary to explore the relationships between PA, exercise and OSA and to examine the efficacy of exercise as alternative or additional treatment for OSA.

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) and American Thoracic Society (ATS) guideline on management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations was published in the March 2017 issue of the European Respiratory Journal [1]. Based on evidence syntheses, including meta-analyses, relevant evidence up to September 2015 was summarised and clinical recommendations for treatment of COPD exacerbations were formulated. These guidelines were endorsed by the ERS Executive Committee and approved by the ATS Board of Directors in December 2016.

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is known to improve the peak exercise capacity during incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, its effects on variables reflective of effort-independent exercise response, such as efficiency slopes, are not well studied. Objectives: To investigate the effects of PR on efficiency slopes in patients with COPD. Methods: Patients with COPD were assessed for exercise capacity (CPET), before and 3 months after PR. The ventilatory efficiency (∆VE/∆VCO2), the oxygen uptake efficiency (OUES), and the mechanical efficiency (∆VO2/∆Wr) slopes and oxygen pulse (PuO2) were calculated from the CPET. PuO2 was defined as the ratio of oxygen uptake (VO2) and heart rate (HR). Isotime was identified as the highest workload achieved either at baseline or 3 months after PR. Results: Twenty-five patients were included [16 men; 64 (9) years-old; FEV1: 48.9 (14.5)%pred; 6MWD 72 (11.3)%pred]. The PR outcomes are shown in Table 1. Conclusions: Although peak exercise capacity and iso-work response improved, the efficiency slopes reflective effort-independent exercise response did not change significantly after PR.

Background: A mean annual decline in physical activity (PA) of 450 steps/d approximately has been reported in patients with COPD but it is not known if the evolution is the same for all patients. Aims: To identify PA trajectories and their determinants using a hypothesis-free approach. Methods: We pooled data from the PROactive initial validation (NCT01388218) study and the usual care arm of the Urban Training study (NCT01897298), including an objective measure of PA at baseline and 12 months. We identified clusters of individual PA trajectories (steps/d), using a k-means approach and compared baseline sociodemographic, interpersonal, clinical and psychological characteristics across clusters. Results: Based on 293 COPD patients (mean (SD) 68 (8) y, 82% male, FEV1 58% pred), we identified three distinct PA trajectories: inactive (59%), improvers (17%) and decliners (24%) (Fig 1). Being in the inactive group was associated with a lower proportion of patients still working and a worse general status (lower lung function, exercise capacity and quality of life, and higher dyspnoea and depression score) at baseline. While improvers and decliners were very similar in their baseline characteristics, improvers showed a significant reduction in weight during follow-up compared to decliners. Conclusions: The natural course of PA in patients with COPD was heterogeneous and one group improved PA over time.

Background Patients with COPD need to cope with a disabling disease, which leads to health status impairment. Aim To investigate the long term change of health status in subjects with mild to moderate airflow obstruction and to compare this to subjects without airflow obstruction, with and without a smoking history. Second, to investigate the factors potentially associated to rapid health status decline in our total cohort. Methods Two hundred and one subjects were included. Generic [Short form 36 health survey (SF36) and EuroQol - 5 dimensions (EQ-5D)] and disease specific [Clinical COPD questionnaire (CCQ) and COPD Assessment Test (CAT)] health status questionnaires were regularly repeated over a six years period. Other functional outcomes comprised measures of lung function, physical fitness, physical activity and emotional state. Results On average, health status decline did not differ between groups with the exception of the EQ-5D index, which deteriorated faster in subjects with airflow obstruction compared to the never smoking control group [− 0.018(0.008) versus 0.00006(0.003), p = 0.03]. Subjects presenting at least one exacerbation had faster rate of deterioration measured with CAT [0.91(0.21) versus − 0.26(0.25), p

BACKGROUND: Telecoaching approaches can enhance physical activity (PA) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, their effectiveness is likely to be influenced by intervention-specific characteristics. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the acceptability, actual usage, and feasibility of a complex PA telecoaching intervention from both patient and coach perspectives and link these to the effectiveness of the intervention. METHODS: We conducted a mixed-methods study based on the completers of the intervention group (N=159) included in an (effective) 12-week PA telecoaching intervention. This semiautomated telecoaching intervention consisted of a step counter and a smartphone app. Data from a project-tailored questionnaire (quantitative data) were combined with data from patient interviews and a coach focus group (qualitative data) to investigate patient and coach acceptability, actual usage, and feasibility of the intervention. The degree of actual usage of the smartphone and step counter was also derived from app data. Both actual usage and perception of feasibility were linked to objectively measured change in PA. RESULTS: The intervention was well accepted and perceived as feasible by all coaches present in the focus group as well by patients, with 89.3% (142/159) of patients indicating that they enjoyed taking part. Only a minority of patients (8.2%; 13/159) reported that they found it difficult to use the smartphone. Actual usage of the step counter was excellent, with patients wearing it for a median (25th-75th percentiles) of 6.3 (5.8-6.8) days per week, which did not change over time (P=.98). The smartphone interface was used less frequently and actual usage of all daily tasks decreased significantly over time (P

Physical inactivity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with poor health status and increased disease burden. The present study aims to test the efficacy of a previously developed mobile (m)Health intervention to improve or maintain physical activity in patients with COPD after pulmonary rehabilitation.A randomised controlled trial was performed in 32 physiotherapy practices in the Netherlands. COPD patients were randomised into intervention or usual care groups. The intervention consisted of a smartphone application for the patients and a monitoring website for the physiotherapists. Measurements were performed at 0, 3, 6 and 12 months. Physical activity, functional exercise capacity, lung function, health-related quality of life and body mass index were assessed.157 patients started the study and 121 completed it. There were no significant positive effects of the intervention on physical activity (at 0 months: intervention 5824±3418 steps per weekday, usual care 5717±2870 steps per weekday; at 12 months: intervention 4819±2526 steps per weekday, usual care 4950±2634 steps per weekday; p=0.811) or on the secondary end-points. There was a significant decrease over time in physical activity (pAlthough functional exercise capacity did not deteriorate, our mHealth intervention did not improve or maintain physical activity in patients with COPD after a period of pulmonary rehabilitation.

Iván Dueñas-Espín,1–5 Heleen Demeyer,6 Elena Gimeno-Santos,1–3 Michael I Polkey,7 Nicholas S Hopkinson,7 Roberto A Rabinovich,8 Fabienne Dobbels,9 Niklas Karlsson,10 Thierry Troosters,6,11 Judith Garcia-Aymerich1–3 On behalf of the PROactive Consortium 1ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), 2Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 3CIBEREpidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain; 4Secretaría Nacional de Educación Superior, Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación del Ecuador (SENESCYT), Quito, Ecuador; 5Institut d’investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; 6Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; 7NIHR Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit at the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust and Imperial College, London, UK; 8ELEGI Colt Laboratory, Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; 9Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Academic Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; 10Health Economics and Outcomes Research, AstraZeneca R&D, Mölndal, Sweden; 11Department of Respiratory Diseases, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium Background: The role of anxiety and depression in the physical activity (PA) of patients with COPD is controversial. We prospectively assessed the effect of symptoms of anxiety and depression on PA in COPD patients.Methods: We evaluated anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]), PA (Dynaport® accelerometer), and other relevant characteristics in 220 COPD patients from five European countries at baseline and at 6 and 12 months of follow-up. HADS score was categorized as: no symptoms (score 0–7), suggested (8–10), and probable (>11) anxiety or depression. We estimated the association between anxiety and depression at t (baseline and 6 months) and PA at t+1 (6 and 12 months) using regression models with a repeated measures approach.Results: Patients had a mean (standard deviation) age of 67 (8) years, forced expiratory volume in 1 second 57 (20)% predicted. At baseline, the prevalence of probable anxiety and depression was 10% and 5%, respectively. In multivariable models adjusted by confounders and previous PA, patients performed 81 fewer steps/day (95% confidence interval, -149 to -12, P=0.02) per extra point in HADS-depression score. HADS-anxiety symptoms were not associated with PA.Conclusion: In COPD patients, symptoms of depression are prospectively associated with a measurable reduction in PA 6 months later. Keywords: COPD, anxiety, depression, HADS, physical activity, prospective study

The aim of this review was to identify the effectiveness of therapies added on to conventional exercise training to maximise exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Electronic databases were searched, identifying trials comparing exercise training with exercise training plus “add-on” therapy. Outcomes included peak oxygen uptake (V′O2peak), work rate and incremental/endurance cycle and field walking tests. Individual trial effects on exercise capacity were extracted and collated into eight subgroups and pooled for meta-analysis. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore the stability of effect estimates across studies employing patient-centred designs and those deemed to be of “high” quality (PEDro score >5 out of 10). 74 studies (2506 subjects) met review inclusion criteria. Interventions spanned a broad scope of clinical practice and were most commonly evaluated via the 6-min walking distance and V′O2peak. Meta-analysis revealed few clinically relevant and statistically significant benefits of “add-on” therapies on exercise performance compared with exercise training. Benefits favouring “add-on” therapies were observed across six different interventions (additional exercise training, noninvasive ventilation, bronchodilator therapy, growth hormone, vitamin D and nutritional supplementation). The sensitivity analyses included considerably fewer studies, but revealed minimal differences to the primary analysis. The lack of systematic benefits of “add-on” interventions is a probable reflection of methodological limitations, such as “one size fits all” eligibility criteria, that are inherent in many of the included studies of “add-on” therapies. Future clarification regarding the exact value of such therapies may only arise from adequately powered, multicentre clinical trials of tailored interventions for carefully selected COPD patient subgroups defined according to distinct clinical phenotypes., Add-on modalities show mostly minimal additional benefits to exercise capacity after conventional training in COPD http://ow.ly/XABi4

Intro: Physical Activity (PA) Telecoaching Programs (PATP) have potential to increase PA during Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR). Aim: We investigated the feasibility to start a PATP after 3 months of PR. Methods: Patients with COPD enrolled in a 6 months outpatient PR program were screened for eligibility at start of PR. After 3 months of PR, they were invited to participate to a PATP. Results: Since June 2015, 197 patients entered PR of which 135 (69%) were diagnosed with COPD. From these patients, 57 were included in the PATP trial, 17 declined and 61 were not eligible. Reasons for the latter were having dropped out from PR (n=45) and having contra-indicating comorbidities (n=16). Those who declined had higher PA avoidance, lower functional capacity and PA at start of PR compared to those included (Figure 1). A larger proportion of these patients had decreasing daylight time (proxy for seasonality) from 0 to 3 months of PR compared to those included (respectively 77% vs 50% in each group;p=0.05). There were no differences in effects from PR (0-3 months) between those included and those who declined (p>0.05). Conclusion: A majority (77%) of patients with COPD who were eligible for a PATP trial after 3 months of PR participated. Patients invited at periods closer to wintertime, those with more dysfunctional beliefs on PA, lower functional capacity and PA levels were less likely to participate.

Rationale: Physical activity (PA) management is a recommended treatment goal for patients with COPD, across the disease severity. We hypothesize that a reference frame based on functional capacity can guide patient selection for PA coaching interventions and will help to provide achievable PA goals to individual patients. Methods: A total of 213 patients with COPD (67% male, age 65 (8) year, BMI 26 (6) kg.m-2, FEV1 54 (20) %pred) were included in the present analysis, resulting in a total of 1460 valid days with objectively measured PA. We chose step count as primary outcome and categorized patients based on their 6MWD (bin per 100m). The 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th percentiles of daily step count were calculated. Next, because severity of the airflow obstruction was independently associated to PA, analyses were stratified for GOLD stage (I-II and III-IV). Results: The reference frame of PA is presented in Figure 1. As hypothesized, the PA one can expect of a patient with COPD is depending on the individual functional capacity. PA was slightly higher in patients in GOLD I-II for a given capacity, as compared to those in GOLD III-IV. Conclusion: The present data provide a reference frame for physical activity based on functional capacity. This framework can guide treatment selection and goals for physical activity coaching.

Background: Azithromycin (AZ) prevents acute exacerbations in COPD (AECOPD); however, the optimal dose, treatment duration and target population are yet to be defined. Methods: A multicenter, randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effect of AZ initiated within 48h of hospital admission for an AECOPD (500mg/day for 3days) and subsequently administered for 3 months (3m) (250mg/2days). Patients were followed-up for 9m, including 6m after AZ withdrawal. Time-to-treatment failure (TF) within 3m was evaluated as novel primary endpoint, with TF defined as the composite of treatment intensification with medication (TI) or step-up in hospital care or readmission for respiratory reasons (SHR) or all-cause mortality. Results: 301 COPD patients were randomized (1:1) to receive AZ (n=147) or placebo (n=154) on top of a standard treatment with corticosteroids and antibiotics. The TF rate at 3m was 49% in the AZ arm and 60% in the placebo arm (HR=0.73; 95%CI 0.53-1.01; p=0.053 for time-to-TF and ∆=-0.24; 95%CI -0.48-0.00; p=0.040 for cumulative TF). TI, SHR and mortality within 3m were 47% vs 60% (p=0.027), 13% vs 28% (p=0.002) and 2% vs 4% (p=0.507) respectively. Significance was lost 6m after AZ withdrawal (Fig1). Conclusion: AZ for AECOPD requiring hospitalization may significantly reduce TF during the highest risk period. These benefits are lost 6m after the discontinuation of AZ.

Anxiety is a highly prevalent psychological comorbidity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has detrimental effects on pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) outcomes. It has been suggested that disease-specific fears could play an even more important role in COPD patients’ disease progression. However, little is known about how different disease-specific fears impact COPD. This study examined how different disease-specific fears relate to different PR outcome measures in COPD patients and how these relationships evolve over the course of PR. Before and after a 3-week inpatient PR program, COPD patients (N = 104) underwent a 6-min walking test to measure functional exercise capacity. Disease-specific fears (fear of physical activity, fear of dyspnea, fear of disease progression, fear of social exclusion) were assessed with the COPD-Anxiety-Questionnaire-Revised. Health-related quality of life (HQoL), COPD health status, dyspnea in daily life, depression, and anxiety were measured using validated questionnaires. Multiple regression showed that greater disease-specific fears at the start of PR were associated with worse functional exercise capacity, HQoL, health status, and depression at the start and end of PR (controlling for age, sex, lung function, smoking status, and general anxiety). Patients who showed a stronger decrease in disease-specific fears improved more in PR outcome measures over the course of PR. Furthermore, different disease-specific fears were related to different PR outcome measures. The results show that disease-specific fears are associated with treatment outcome measures, both cross-sectionally and prospectively. Therefore, disease-specific fears should be addressed in COPD patients as they might play a significant role in disease progression. ispartof: Respiratory Medicine vol:146 pages:87-95 ispartof: location:England status: published

Several studies have already identified atopy as a risk factor for the development of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in adult elite athletes (1-3). Skin prick test or serum specific IgE to common aero-allergens is used to determine the patient's atopy status (4). In 2009, Bonini M et al. introduced a screening tool to predict atopy in elite adult athletes, namely the Allergy Questionnaire for Athletes or short the AQUA© questionnaire (5). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. ispartof: PEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY vol:29 issue:6 pages:648-650 ispartof: location:England status: published

Bronchodilation and exercise training (ExT) improve exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, behavior modification is required to impact daily physical activity (PA).To assess whether tiotropium/olodaterol, with or without ExT, would improve exercise endurance time (EET) and PA compared with placebo in patients participating in a self-management behavior-modification (SMBM) program.This was a 12-week, randomized, partially double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial in patients with COPD (PHYSACTO; NCT02085161). All patients were enrolled into SMBM and randomized 1:1:1:1 to once-daily placebo, tiotropium 5 μg, tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg, or tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg plus 8 weeks ExT. EET, measured by endurance shuttle walk test after 8 weeks, was the primary endpoint. Additional endpoints assessed downstream effects on PA (measured via accelerometry), and activity-related dyspnea and difficulty (using validated patient-reported questionnaires).SMBM plus tiotropium/olodaterol, with or without ExT, significantly improved EET at Week 8 versus SMBM plus placebo (treatment ratio vs. placebo: with ExT, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-1.78; P = 0.0002; without ExT, 1.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.57; P = 0.0109). No significant increases in steps per day from baseline were observed over SMBM plus placebo at Week 12 (increase of 1,098) when other therapies were added. Adding tiotropium/olodaterol, with or without ExT, to SMBM reduced activity-related dyspnea versus placebo, whereas adding tiotropium/olodaterol plus ExT reduced activity-related difficulty.Tiotropium/olodaterol, with or without ExT, improved EET in patients with COPD taking part in an SMBM program. Combination bronchodilation, with or without ExT, did not provide additional increases in objective PA compared with SMBM alone but did reduce PA-related dyspnea and difficulty. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02085161).

Background Exercise capacity is an important feature in patients with COPD. Its impairment drives disability and dependency for daily activities performance. This study evaluated the six years change in exercise capacity in subjects with airflow obstruction and compared this to subjects without airflow obstruction, with and without a smoking history. Methods Cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) were repeatedly performed during a six years follow up period. Peak oxygen uptake (VO(2)peak), work rate (WRpeak), heart rate (HRpeak), minute ventilation (VEpeak), respiratory exchange ratio (RERpeak) and ventilatory reserve (VE/MVV) were collected as effort dependent outcomes. The slopes of oxygen uptake, ventilatory and mechanical efficiency (OUES, Delta VE/Delta VCO2 and Delta VO2/Delta WR) were collected as effort independent outcomes. Results One hundred and thirty-eight subjects were included. Thirty-eight presented airflow obstruction (63 +/- 6 years, 74% men, FEV1 90 +/- 15%(pred)), 44 had a smoking history but no airflow obstruction (61 +/- 5 years, 61% men, FEV1 105 +/- 15%(pred)) and 56 had never smoked (61 +/- 7 years, 57% men, FEV1 117 +/- 18%(pred)). At baseline, the airflow obstruction group had slightly worse exercise capacity in comparison to the never smoking control group, in absolute terms and expressed as percentage of the predicted value (VO(2)peak = 27 +/- 5 versus 32 +/- 8 ml/min/kg, p

Physical activity (PA) is a relevant outcome measure in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Low PA is prevalent and drives prognosis [1]. Unfortunately, the determinants of PA and its change over time are poorly understood [1]. The fact that the PA progressively declines over time along with worsening of lung function and health status [2] suggests that the PA decline could be due to the progression of the disease and specifically to acute exacerbations [3]. An acute reduction in PA at the onset has been reported both in severe exacerbations requiring a hospitalisation [4] and in ambulatory treated exacerbations [5, 6]. A sustained PA reduction has been shown 1 month after hospital discharge [4] whereas PA almost returns to stable levels after community-treated exacerbations [6]. One study found faster PA decline in patients with a history of two or more exacerbations in the 12 months prior to the study [5]. This analysis did not adjust for confounders of the association (e.g. airflow obstruction, symptom burden) or external variables influencing PA (e.g. climate). It could also be argued that the greater decline in PA was due to lower health status at baseline. Although PA is an important outcome for COPD patients, little is known about the role of exacerbations in patients' experience of PA. Importantly, both the amount of activity and difficulties experienced during activity are integral to the concept of PA limitation [7]. The aim of the present analysis was to assess the association between the number and severity of exacerbations and changes in PA and PA experience.

Purpose Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) enhances exercise tolerance in patients with COPD; however, improvements in physical activity (PA) are not guaranteed. This study explored the relationship between baseline exercise tolerance and changes in PA after PR. Materials and methods Patient data from prospective clinical trials in the PR settings of Athens and Leuven (2008–2016) were analyzed. Validated PA monitors were worn for 1 week before and after a 12-week program. The proportion of patients who improved PA levels ≥1,000 steps/day (“PA responders”) after PR was compared between those with initial 6-minute walk distance [6MWDi], Video abstract

Background and objective The definition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on a fixed forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio or on the lower limits of FEV1/FVC of a healthy reference population is the subject of continuous debate. We explored whether dynamics of forced expiratory flow decline on spirometry can identify subjects with and without COPD when the two key diagnostic criteria are discordant. Methods Four hundred twenty-three individuals with a history of ≥15 pack-years smoking had pulmonary function measurements conducted. A second-order input–output model was used to describe the dynamics of the forced expiration. The capability of the model parameters to predict presence of disease was explored with a support vector machine classifier. In the discordant individuals, newly classified subjects were validated by other pulmonary function tests. Results In the non-discordant subjects (n = 370), the second-order model was able to confirm a diagnosis of COPD in 95% of subjects (n = 351). In the discordant individuals (n = 53), the classification by dynamic flow analysis found 28 patients to be healthy whereas 25 patients were still classified as COPD. Hyperinflation, increased airways resistance and reduced dynamic volumes were observed in the newly identified COPD group of discordant subjects. When using non-spirometry-based pulmonary function criteria as a standard for correct diagnoses in the individual discordant subjects, the model allocated 68% (n = 36) of the discordant to a correct diagnosis. Conclusions Expiratory flow dynamics can detect airflow limitation and indicate the presence of COPD. In discordant subjects, our methodology allows a better identification of subjects with or without characteristics of COPD.

International audience; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and resource use worldwide. The goal of this official American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) research statement is to describe evidence related to diagnosis, assessment and management; identify gaps in knowledge; and make recommendations for future research. It is not intended to provide clinical practice recommendations on COPD diagnosis and management. Clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates with expertise in COPD were invited to participate. A literature search of Medline was performed, and studies deemed relevant were selected. The search was not a systematic review of the evidence. Existing evidence was appraised and summarised, and then salient knowledge gaps were identified. Recommendations for research that addresses important gaps in the evidence in all areas of COPD were formulated via discussion and consensus. Great strides have been made in the diagnosis, assessment and management of COPD, as well as understanding its pathogenesis. Despite this, many important questions remain unanswered. This ATS/ ERS research statement highlights the types of research that leading clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates believe will have the greatest impact on patient-centred outcomes. @ERSpublications ATS/ERS statement: which types of research will have the greatest future impact on patient-centred outcomes in COPD? http://ow.ly/I54Hb

Introduction: Pulmonary function testing (PFT) is the main tool to evaluate the function of the respiratory system. However used alone, it hardly leads to disease diagnosis. Based on artificial intelligence (AI) we aimed to develop a smart software which improves the clinical reading of a lung function and suggests a respiratory disease diagnosis if possible. Methods: Data of 1430 subjects with respiratory symptoms were taken from 33 Belgian hospitals to develop the algorithm. The final diagnosis (healthy, asthma, COPD, ILD, neuromuscular disease, chest wall or pleural disease, pulmonary vascular disease, other obstructive disease) was obtained from the clinical history, lung function and all additional tests, and confirmed by an expert panel. A cloud-based solution was incorporated into the clinical setting to validate the accuracy of the algorithm on a random sample of 86 new subjects. Finally, the software diagnoses were compared with the diagnostic opinions of 16 pulmonologists provided with PFT and clinical data of 50 new subjects. Results: Software presented a high accuracy of 74% after 10-fold cross-validation when detecting lung diseases (8 possible disease categories). The high accuracy was maintained in a real clinical setting (76%). The software-based automated diagnoses (76% accuracy) were superior over the suggested diagnoses of pulmonologists (53.5 ± 6 % mean accuracy), which were not affected by the experience of the reader. Conclusions: AI can be used to identify different lung diseases. Due to its superiority and work consistency, such software can provide a powerful decision support system in daily clinical routine.