The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity · 7 authors, 5 centres
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This randomized controlled trial investigated whether a semi-automated physical activity telecoaching program, initiated after 3 months of pulmonary rehabilitation, could sustain improvements in daily step count for patients with COPD. The intervention led to a significant and sustained increase in daily steps compared to usual care.
Patients were randomized to a 9-month telecoaching intervention or usual care. The primary outcome was daily step count, measured by accelerometer. However, the intervention did not lead to significant between-group differences in secondary outcomes such as exercise tolerance (VO2 peak, 6MWD), quadriceps force, dyspnea, or quality of life at any timepoint. A limitation noted is that the increase in step count did not translate to maintained physiological training benefits, possibly because the intervention focused on step volume rather than exercise intensity.
