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

Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2009:4:301-13. doi: 10.2147/copd.s6643. Epub 2009 Sep 1.

Abstract

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 (FEV(1)) 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).

Keywords: cell phones; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; exercise persistence; physical activity; pulmonary rehabilitation.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actigraphy / instrumentation
  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cell Phone* / economics
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Exercise Test
  • Exercise Therapy* / economics
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Feedback, Psychological*
  • Female
  • Health Care Costs
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Compliance*
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Pilot Projects
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / economics
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / physiopathology
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / psychology
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / rehabilitation*
  • Quality of Life
  • Recovery of Function
  • Reinforcement, Psychology*
  • Self Care* / economics
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00373932