Barriers associated with reduced physical activity in COPD patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of COPD patients to perform activities of daily living (ADL); to identify barriers that prevent these individuals from performing ADL; and to correlate those barriers with dyspnea severity, six-minute walk test (6MWT), and an ADL limitation score. METHODS: In COPD patients and healthy, age-matched controls, the number of steps, the distance walked, and walking time were recorded with a triaxial accelerometer, for seven consecutive days. A questionnaire regarding perceived barriers and the London Chest Activity of Daily Living (LCADL) scale were used in order to identify the factors that prevent the performance of ADL. The severity of dyspnea was assessed with two scales, whereas submaximal exercise capacity was determined on the basis of the 6MWT. RESULTS: We evaluated 40 COPD patients and 40 controls. In comparison with the control values, the mean walk time was significantly shorter for COPD patients (68.5 ± 25.8 min/day vs. 105.2 ± 49.4 min/day; p < 0.001), as was the distance walked (3.9 ± 1.9 km/day vs. 6.4 ± 3.2 km/day; p < 0.001). The COPD patients also walked fewer steps/day. The most common self-reported barriers to performing ADL were lack of infrastructure, social influences, and lack of willpower. The 6MWT distance correlated with the results obtained with the accelerometer but not with the LCADL scale results. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COPD are less active than are healthy adults of a comparable age. Physical inactivity and the barriers to performing ADL have immediate implications for clinical practice, calling for early intervention measures.

Incapacity, Handicap, and Oxidative Stress Markers of Male Smokers With and Without COPD

“…Whereas almost all included smokers (n ϭ 31) had a sedentary life style, compared with the non-COPD group, the COPD group had statistically significantly lower physical activity scores (see Table 1). The above result was similar to that reported by Amorim et al, 57 where the COPD group (n ϭ 40), when compared with the non-COPD group (n ϭ 40), had a significantly greater limitation in activities of daily living 58 (33 Ϯ 11 vs 21 Ϯ 2, respectively).…”

Barriers and enablers of physical activity engagement for patients with COPD in primary care

“…While recent reviews have investigated the reasons for poor adherence or dropout of PR, this has not until now been extended to include participation in PA as part of daily life 29,30. One study that did focus on the barriers specific to activities of daily living was a cross-sectional study from Brazil 31. The study demonstrated an association between social influences, lack of infrastructure, and lack of willpower and lower PA among people with COPD.…”

Comparative Assessment of CPET Versus Typical Work-related Activities in Women With and Without Mild COPD

“…The standardised CPET plays an important role in social and occupational medicine, when an impairment of the cardiopulmonary capacity needs to be quantified. The 6-minute walk reflects limitations expected in activities of daily life (ADL) (17). A significant relationship between walking distance and FEV1 and FVC was reported (17).…”