A Long-Term Physical Activity Coaching Program for Patients with COPD: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Physical activity (PA) is decreased in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). PA coaching interventions are effective to improve PA on the short-term, yet long-term effects are lacking. Providing an individualized step goal, feedback and regular contact with a coach might be important aspects to obtain long-term effect. To investigate the effectiveness of a 12-month fully deployed PA coaching intervention to improve and maintain PA in COPD, compared to a light coaching intervention. This multicenter, single-blind RCT randomized participants in either the full coaching intervention (FCG, including an activity tracker and a smartphone application with dynamic goal setting, regular feedback and contact with a coach) or the light PA coaching group (LCG, including an activity tracker, a fixed step goal and limited feedback or contact with a coach). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, six- and 12-months follow-up. 150 participants with COPD were randomized in the full (n=77) or light (n=73) coaching group. No between group differences were observed for objectively measured PA and perceived amount of PA measured with the C-PPAC instrument at six months follow-up (respectively, 172±367 steps/day, p=0.64 and 2.5±2.2 points, p=0.26) and at 12 months follow-up (respectively, -43±372 steps/day, p=0.91 and 2.1±2.2 points, p=0.34). Responder rates were similar for both groups at 12 months (FCG:19%; LCG:22%). A full coaching intervention providing dynamic individualized step goals, adequate feedback and regular contact with a coach did not have additional effects on PA at 12 months as compared to a light coaching intervention. Clinical trial registration available at www. gov, ID: NCT04139200.