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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2025 Dec 31;31(1):2416827.
doi: 10.1016/j.pulmoe.2024.04.001. Epub 2024 Oct 24.

Beyond pulmonary rehabilitation: can the PICk UP programme fill the gap? A randomised trial in COPD

P Rebelo  1   2 , D Brooks  3   4 , J Cravo  5 , M A Mendes  1   2   5 , A C Oliveira  6 , A S Rijo  6 , M J Moura  6 , A Marques  1   2
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Free article
Randomized Controlled Trial

Beyond pulmonary rehabilitation: can the PICk UP programme fill the gap? A randomised trial in COPD

P Rebelo et al. Pulmonology. .
Free article

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a fundamental intervention to manage COPD, however, maintaining its benefits is challenging. Engaging in physical activity might help to prolong PR benefits. This study assessed the efficacy and effectiveness of a personalised community-based physical activity programme to sustain physical activity and other health-related PR benefits, in people with COPD.

Materials and methods: This was a multicentre, assessor blinded, randomised controlled trial. Following 12-weeks of PR, people with COPD were assigned to a six-months personalised community-based physical activity programme (experimental group), or to standard care (control group). Physical activity was assessed via: time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activities per day (primary outcome measure), steps/day and the brief physical activity assessment tool. Secondary outcomes included sedentary behaviour, functional status, peripheral muscle strength, balance, symptoms, emotional state, health-related quality of life, exacerbations and healthcare utilization. Assessments were performed immediately post-PR and after three- and six-months. Efficacy and effectiveness were evaluated using intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis with linear mixed models.

Results: Sixty-one participants (experimental group: n = 32; control group: n = 29), with balanced baseline characteristics between groups (69.6 ± 8.5 years old, 84 % male, FEV1 57.1 ± 16.7 %predicted) were included. Changes in all physical activity outcomes and in one-minute sit-to-stand were significantly different (P < 0.05) between groups at the six-month follow-up. In the remaining outcomes there were no differences between groups.

Conclusions: The community-based physical activity programme resulted in better physical activity levels and sit-to-stand performance, six-months after completing PR, in COPD. No additional benefits were observed for other secondary outcomes.

Keywords: Community integration; Community resources; Physical activity; Pulmonary disease Chronic obstructive.

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