Abstract
Introduction: There appears to be a link between improving physical activity PA after hospital discharge for acute exacerbation (AE) COPD and reduction in readmission rate.
Methods: Data from 94 patients - early rehabilitation (PR) vs. control - collected: (mean (SD) FEV1, age (SD) x males): at exacerbation (baseline), 6 weeks post exacerbation, 3 months post exacerbation. Sensewear PA monitors (BodyMedia) used to record information on PA: Total PA time, total energy expenditure (TEE), steps, and metabolic equivalent of task levels (METs): sedentary (1.5-2), very light (2.1-2.5), light (2.5-3) and moderate (3-6).
Results: No change in PA in intervention group compared to control seen, except light activity at 0-6 weeks (p=0.031).When groups were collapsed, the following changes from baseline between 0-6 weeks associated with non-readmission: greater TEE increase (p=0.018: univariate model, p=0.024: multivariate model), and greater Sedentary behaviour decrease (p=0.029: univariate model, p=0.048: multivariate model).
Discussion: Overall early rehabilitation does not result in significant difference to the levels of PA post AECOPD; natural recovery of patients regardless of intervention group was broadly similar.
The 'collapsed' data suggests that rate of change in TEE and sedentary behaviour in 0-6w following discharge after AECOPD might be important in predicting the risk of readmission.
This might be important for the design of early PR programs.
- Copyright ©ERS 2015