Bonnie G. Steele

Bodies in motion: monitoring daily activity and exercise with motion sensors in people with chronic pulmonary disease.

A primary goal of pulmonary rehabilitation is to improve health and life quality by encouraging participants to engage in exercise and to increase daily physical activity. The recent advent of motion sensors, including digital pedometers and accelerometers that measure motion as a continuous variable, have added precision to the measurement of free-living daily activity. Daily activity and exercise are variables of keen interest to proponents of the national health agenda, epidemiologists, clinical researchers, and rehabilitation interventionists. This paper summarizes issues related to conceptualizing and monitoring activity in the rehabilitation setting; reviews motion sensor methodology; compares motion-sensing devices; presents analysis issues and current and potential applications to the pulmonary rehabilitation setting; and gives practical applications and limitations.

Correlates of physical activity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BackgroundPhysical activity is a key dimension of functional status in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the central target of interventions in this group. ObjectivesTo determine the relationships among functional performance measured as physical activity, functional capacity, symptom experiences, and health-related quality of life in people with COPD. MethodCross-sectional, descriptive study. Convenience sample of 63 outpatients with COPD studied prior to entry into a pulmonary rehabilitation program. ResultsDaily physical activity, as measured by an accelerometer, was strongly associated with maximal distance walked during a 6-minute walk test (r = .60, p < .00), level of airway obstruction (r = .37, p < .01), walking self-efficacy (r = .27, p < .05), and physical health status (r = .40, p < .01). Physical activity was not correlated with self-report of functional status. The only predictor of physical activity was the 6-minute walk test. ConclusionsAccelerometer measurement of functional performance was most significantly related to walking abilities. This methodology represents a novel approach to measuring an important dimension of functional status not previously well quantified.

A Randomized Clinical Trial of an Activity and Exercise Adherence Intervention in Chronic Pulmonary Disease

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of an exercise adherence intervention to maintain daily activity, adherence to exercise, and exercise capacity over 1 year after completion of an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program. DESIGN A 2-group, experimental design was used with randomization into intervention and usual care groups. SETTING Outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program in a university-affiliated medical center. PARTICIPANTS One hundred six subjects (98 men; 98 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) with a mean age of 67 years and chronic lung disease. INTERVENTION Twelve-week adherence intervention (weekly phone calls and home visit) including counseling on establishing, monitoring, and problem-solving in maintaining a home exercise program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcomes included daily activity (accelerometer), exercise adherence (exercise diary), and exercise capacity (six-minute walk test). All measures were performed at baseline, after the pulmonary rehabilitation program (8 wk), after the adherence intervention (20 wk), and at 1 year. RESULTS A rank-based analysis of covariance showed less decline at 20 weeks in exercise adherence (intervention mean, +3 min; control mean, -13 min; P=.015) and exercise capacity (intervention mean, -10.7 m; control mean, -35.4 m; P=.023). There were no differences in daily activity at 20 weeks or any differences in any primary variable at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS The intervention enhanced exercise adherence and exercise capacity in the short term but produced no long-term benefit. These findings are in part attributed to the disappointing measurement characteristics of the accelerometer used to measure daily activity. The intervention was acceptable to participants. Further study is needed to fashion interventions that have more persistent benefit.

Pilot study of a cell phone-based exercise persistence intervention post-rehabilitation for COPD

Objective To determine the feasibility and efficacy of a six-month, cell phone-based exercise persistence intervention for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) following pulmonary rehabilitation. Methods Participants who completed a two-week run-in were randomly assigned to either MOBILE-Coached (n = 9) or MOBILE-Self-Monitored (n = 8). All participants met with a nurse to develop an individualized exercise plan, were issued a pedometer and exercise booklet, and instructed to continue to log their daily exercise and symptoms. MOBILE-Coached also received weekly reinforcement text messages on their cell phones; reports of worsening symptoms were automatically flagged for follow-up. Usability and satisfaction were assessed. Participants completed incremental cycle and six minute walk (6MW) tests, wore an activity monitor for 14 days, and reported their health-related quality of life (HRQL) at baseline, three, and six months. Results The sample had a mean age of 68 ±11 and forced expiratory volume in one second 18% predicted. Participants reported that logging their exercise and symptoms (FEV1) of 40 ± was easy and that keeping track of their exercise helped them remain active. There were no differences between groups over time in maximal workload, 6MW distance, or HRQL (p > 0.05); however, MOBILE-Self-Monitored increased total steps/day whereas MOBILE-Coached logged fewer steps over six months (p =0.04). Conclusions We showed that it is feasible to deliver a cell phone-based exercise persistence intervention to patients with COPD post-rehabilitation and that the addition of coaching appeared to be no better than self-monitoring. The latter finding needs to be interpreted with caution since this was a purely exploratory study. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00373932).

The dyspnea experience: nociceptive properties and a model for research and practice.

Dyspnea has been defined as the unpleasant sensation of difficult breathing and the reaction to that sensation. Dyspnea research, however, has largely used a unidimensional, sensory model of dyspnea devoid of the affective and motivational dimensions that uniquely characterize this sensation in clinical populations. Dyspnea might be more comprehensively viewed as a nociceptive phenomenon which, like pain, has affective dimensions expressed as distress in response to aversiveness. A multidimensional, ecologic model of the dyspnea experience is presented that incorporates nociceptive sensation properties and is suggestive of new directions for dyspnea research uniquely relevant to nursing science.

The impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation on pulmonary rehabilitation participation and functional outcomes.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation (COPDE) on pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) participation and completion and on PR outcomes of daily activity, self-reported daily exercise, and functional capacity. METHODS Participants in an 8-week outpatient PR program were studied pre- and post-PR. Variables included COPDE occurrence (computerized patient record system), self-reported exercise (daily activity diary), daily activity (accelerometer), exercise capacity (6-minute walk distance), dyspnea today and over the past 30 days (Lareaus Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire), health status (The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey adapted for Veterans), and quality of life (Seattle Obstructive Lung Disease Questionnaire). RESULTS Outpatients with COPD (N = 146, 140 men) started PR; 112 completed the program and were studied. Of the 30 participants who had at least 1 COPDE during the program, 10 quit the program. Subjects who exacerbated had a lower body mass index than did patients without COPDE (28.4 compared with 30.8, respectively, P < .05), more severe COPD (percent-predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration, FEV1% predicted, 32%, compared with 40%, respectively, P< .05), and required supplemental oxygen (70% compared with 36%, respectively, P< .05). Exacerbators who completed PR were more likely to be nonsmokers, on oxygen, and have a higher FEV1% predicted than were exacerbators who quit. It was found that postprogram exercise capacity improved overall, with exacerbators performing better than nonexacerbators on the 6-minute walk test (P = .044). There were no significant differences in other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that COPD exacerbators who completed PR had similar outcomes as did nonexacerbators and should be encouraged to return to PR after COPDE.

Seattle Obstructive Lung Disease Questionnaire: sensitivity to outcomes in pulmonary rehabilitation in severe pulmonary illness.

PURPOSE To evaluate the ability of the Seattle Obstructive Lung Disease Questionnaire (SOLDQ) to detect change in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following a pulmonary rehabilitation program (PRP) and to determine associations with other functional indicators. METHODS A prospective pre- and post-test design. A PRP was offered for 60 minutes, 2 times per week for 8 weeks. Measured at entry and exit to the PRP: the SOLDQ (physical, emotional, and coping skills), 6-minute walk, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey-36 Veterans (SF-36V) (physical and mental), Lareau Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire, and the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) scale. Setting was an outpatient PRP in a VA Medical Center. RESULTS Participants included 58 adults who completed the PRP (age mean = 66, SD +/- 9.8; FEV1% predicted mean = 39, SD +/- 15.9). At baseline, significant correlations were found between SOLDQ physical functioning and SF-36V physical, dyspnea, fatigue, 6-minute walk distance, SF-36V mental, and spirometry. SOLDQ emotional functioning significantly correlated with fatigue, dyspnea, and SF-36V mental and physical. SOLDQ coping skills significantly correlated with fatigue, dyspnea, and SF-36V mental and physical. Paired, 2-tailed, t tests comparing the SOLDQ subscales pre- and post-program were significant, with the biggest treatment effect seen with emotional functioning. Other measures showing significant improvement included 6-minute walk, SF-36V physical, dyspnea, and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS After participation in a PRP, all 3 SOLDQ subscales improved significantly and were associated with other indicators of function. These findings validate the SOLDQ as a measure sensitive to functional changes associated with participation in pulmonary rehabilitation.

Testing an intervention to improve functional capability in advanced cardiopulmonary illness

The development of a conceptually driven exercise and self-management intervention for improving functional capability and reducing health care costs using social cognitive theory is described. The intervention has 2 components: a 1-month outpatient exercise intervention followed by a home component, lasting 5 months. The intervention is expected to have significant impact on daily function, quality of life, gait/balance, self-efficacy, and health care utilization in persons with advanced heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We report preliminary results related to process-related variables, including feasibility, safety, and intervention adherence. Intervention outcomes are currently under study and will be reported when available.

A Feasibility Trial of Two Rehabilitation Models in Severe Cardiopulmonary Illness

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare functional capacity and daily activity between two exercise rehabilitation interventions in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) over 6 months. Secondarily, we compared intervention groups on symptoms, depression, quality of life, and cardiopulmonary function. Design/Methods Ninety patients with severe COPD (n = 63) or HFrEF (n = 27) were randomized to either an exercise adherence intervention or standard cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. Patients were 65-year-old male veterans who had either severe COPD (FEV1 < 50% predicted) or HFrEF (EF% < 40%). Results There were no statistically significant differences between the intervention groups or COPD or HfrEF groups on functional capacity, daily activity, symptoms, depression, quality of life, or cardiopulmonary function at 6 months. Conclusion In late-stage COPD and HFrEF, functional capacity is not improved with rehabilitation interventions. Clinical Relevance In severe COPD and heart failure, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation conducted at home or in the outpatient setting was not beneficial.

Mortality in Advanced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Heart Failure Following Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation

Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (CR) improves physical function and quality of life (QoL) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF), but it is unknown if CR improves outcomes in very severe disease. This study’s purpose was to describe functional capacity (6-min walk distance [6MWD], steps/day), symptoms (dyspnea, depression), QoL (Short-Form Health Survey–Veterans [SF-36 V]) and cardiopulmonary function (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP], forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1]), and derive predictors of mortality among patients with severe COPD and HF who participated in CR. Methods and Results: In this secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing two CR methods in severe COPD and HF, 90 (COPD = 63, HF = 27) male veterans, mean age 66 ± 9.24 years, 79% Caucasian, and body mass index 31 kg/m2, were followed for 12 months after CR. The COPD group had greater functional decline than the HF group (6MWD, p = .006). Dyspnea was lower (p = .001) and QoL higher (p = .006) in the HF group. Mean NT-proBNP was higher in the HF group at all time points. FEV1 improved over 12 months in both groups (p = .01). Mortality was 8.9%, 16.7%, and 37.8% at 12, 24, and 60 months, respectively. One-year predictors of mortality were baseline total steps (<3,000/day), 6MWD (<229 meters), and NT-proBNP level (>2,000 mg/pg). Conclusions: In very severe COPD and HF, risks of mortality over 12 months can predict patients unlikely to benefit from CR and should be considered at initial referral.