Development of a Communication Instrument to Address Sexuality in COPD: COSY.

Introduction: Sexuality, an important aspect of quality of life, is often overlooked in COPD. Our aim was to develop an instrument that facilitates communication and counseling on sexuality in persons living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: We searched for publications on sexuality in COPD focusing on communication about sexuality and tools to support such communication.

Evaluation of the Implementation of a Home-Based Exercise Training Program for People With COPD: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Recently, we developed a home-based, minimal-equipment exercise training program HOMEX for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and tested its effectiveness over 1 year in a randomized controlled trial. The aims of the current study were to evaluate the implementation of HOMEX from the perspectives of all involved persons and to optimize the program to ensure its long-term sustainability. In this mixed-methods study, we used qualitative and quantitative approaches to evaluate the implementation of the intervention on the level of patients with COPD and coaches who provided the intervention and relevant stakeholders.

Effectiveness of a Long-term Home-Based Exercise Training Program in Patients With COPD After Pulmonary Rehabilitation: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Most patients with COPD do not maintain exercise training after pulmonary rehabilitation (PR).

Research Question: Does a 12-month home-based, minimal-equipment strength training program after PR have an effect on dyspnea, exercise capacity, and patient-reported outcomes in patients with COPD?

Study Design And Methods: In a parallel-arm multicenter study across four Swiss PR clinics, patients with COPD were allocated randomly (1:1 ratio) into an intervention group (IG; home-based strength training program) or control group (CG; usual care). The primary outcome was change in Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ) dyspnea scale score from baseline to 12 months.

Nationwide implementation of the self-management program "Living well with COPD": Process and effectiveness evaluation using a mixed-methods approach.

Objective: To evaluate the nationwide implementation of the "Living well with COPD" program by the Swiss Lung Association in various cantons in Switzerland.

Methods: For the process evaluation, we used qualitative (interview, focus group) and quantitative (questionnaires, documentation analysis) methods to assess the implementation outcomes reach, dose, fidelity and acceptability. For the effectiveness, we performed a pre-post analysis of patient data collected at baseline and program end (after 14 months).

A novel approach to increase physical activity in older adults in the community using citizen science: a mixed-methods study.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to implement a novel, community-based physical activity (PA) intervention in a Swiss town with active participation of elderly participants and to evaluate its effectiveness, feasibility, acceptability and sustainability.

Methods: The CAPACITY intervention combined important determinants of PA, used smartphone apps to provide feedback/facilitate interaction, and followed a citizen science approach to enable participants to organize walking groups. We targeted persons > 60 years from Wetzikon.

Effects of a long-term home-based exercise training programme using minimal equipment vs. usual care in COPD patients: a study protocol for two multicentre randomised controlled trials (HOMEX-1 and HOMEX-2 trials).

Background: Exercise training is an important component of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programmes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the great majority of COPD patients who would benefit from PR never follow such programmes or fail to maintain exercise training after PR completion. Against this background, we developed an exercise training programme that requires minimal equipment and can be implemented long-term in the patient's home-setting. The aims of the HOMEX-1 and HOMEX-2 trials are to assess the effectiveness of this home-based exercise training programme in two groups of COPD patients over the course of one year: patients who have completed PR (HOMEX-1 trial) and patients who did not enrol in existing PR programmes within the last two years (HOMEX-2 trial).

Care in Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (CAROL): a randomised trial in general practice.

Disease management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is complex and shortcomings in general practice care for COPD are common. A care bundle is a disease management aid used as a reminder and for steering specific elements of care. Our objectives were to test whether a COPD care bundle delivered to general practitioners (GPs) and practice assistants increases the implementation of key elements of COPD care.

Effects of the "Living well with COPD" intervention in primary care: a comparative study.

The pivotal objective of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) self-management programmes is behaviour change to avoid moderate and severe exacerbations and improve health related quality of life.In a prospectively planned, controlled study, COPD patients who participated in the "Living well with COPD" (LWWCOPD) self-management intervention were compared with usual care patients from the primary care COPD Cohort ICE COLD ERIC, who did not receive self-management intervention (NCT00706602) The primary outcome was behaviour change and disease-specific health related quality of life after 1 year. Secondary end-points included exacerbation rates.

The Impact of Case Finding on the Recruitment Yield for COPD Research in Primary Care: An Observational Study.

Background: Recruiting patients for research in primary care is difficult with diseases that tend to remain underdiagnosed, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Researchers may consider introducing case finding into patient recruitment, but the impact on recruitment yield is largely unknown.

Objectives: To assess the impact of case finding on recruitment yield and population characteristics in primary care-based COPD research.

Performance Measures in the Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Primary Care--A Retrospective Analysis.

Rationale: Adherence to recommendations regarding quality of care for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) improves outcome of patients. Performance measures (PM) reflect the quality of care but information about documentation of PM in primary care, is scant.

Aim: To investigate the documentation of COPD PM in primary care practices of the Canton Zurich.

The improving care in chronic obstructive lung disease study: CAROL improving processes of care and quality of life of COPD patients in primary care: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The Swiss health ministry launched a national quality program 'QualiCCare' in 2011 to improve health care for patients with COPD.The aim of this study is to determine whether participation in the COPD quality initiative ('QualiCCare') improves adherence to recommended clinical processes and shows impact on patients' COPD care and on the impact of COPD on a person's life.

Methods: CAROL is a cluster-randomized controlled trial with randomization on the general practioner (GP) level.

Population-based reference values for the 1-min sit-to-stand test.

Objectives: To determine reference values for the 1-min sit-to-stand (STS) test in an adult population.

Methods: Cross-sectional study nested within a nationwide health promotion campaign in Switzerland. Adults performed the STS test and completed questions on demographics and health behavior.