The impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation on pulmonary rehabilitation participation and functional outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation (COPDE) on pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) participation and completion and on PR outcomes of daily activity, self-reported daily exercise, and functional capacity.

Methods: Participants in an 8-week outpatient PR program were studied pre- and post-PR. Variables included COPDE occurrence (computerized patient record system), self-reported exercise (daily activity diary), daily activity (accelerometer), exercise capacity (6-minute walk distance), dyspnea today and over the past 30 days (Lareau's Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire), health status (The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey adapted for Veterans), and quality of life (Seattle Obstructive Lung Disease Questionnaire).

A randomized clinical trial of an activity and exercise adherence intervention in chronic pulmonary disease.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of an exercise adherence intervention to maintain daily activity, adherence to exercise, and exercise capacity over 1 year after completion of an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program.

Design: A 2-group, experimental design was used with randomization into intervention and usual care groups.

Setting: Outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program in a university-affiliated medical center.

Seattle Obstructive Lung Disease Questionnaire: sensitivity to outcomes in pulmonary rehabilitation in severe pulmonary illness.

Purpose: To evaluate the ability of the Seattle Obstructive Lung Disease Questionnaire (SOLDQ) to detect change in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following a pulmonary rehabilitation program (PRP) and to determine associations with other functional indicators.

Methods: A prospective pre- and post-test design. A PRP was offered for 60 minutes, 2 times per week for 8 weeks.

Bodies in motion: monitoring daily activity and exercise with motion sensors in people with chronic pulmonary disease.

A primary goal of pulmonary rehabilitation is to improve health and life quality by encouraging participants to engage in exercise and to increase daily physical activity. The recent advent of motion sensors, including digital pedometers and accelerometers that measure motion as a continuous variable, have added precision to the measurement of free-living daily activity. Daily activity and exercise are variables of keen interest to proponents of the national health agenda, epidemiologists, clinical researchers, and rehabilitation interventionists.