Rebelo P, Brooks D, Marques A. Measuring intensity during free-living physical activities in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic literature review.
Ann Phys Rehabil Med 2021;
65:101607. [PMID:
34818590 DOI:
10.1016/j.rehab.2021.101607]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Measuring intensity of physical activity (PA) is important to ensure safety and the effectiveness of PA interventions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review identified which outcomes, outcome measures and instruments have been used to assess single free-living PA-related intensity in people with COPD and compared the intensity level (light, moderate, vigorous) obtained by different outcome measures.
METHODS
PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and EBSCO were searched for original studies of COPD and assessing single free-living PA-related intensity were included. Agreement was calculated as the number of agreements between 2 measures [same intensity level]/ number of comparisons using both measures*100.
RESULTS
We included 43 studies (1282 people with COPD, mean age 66 years, 65% men, 49% FEV1%pred) and identified 13 outcomes, 46 outcome measures and 22 instruments. The most-reported outcomes, outcome measures and instruments were dyspnoea with the Borg scale 0-10; cardiac function, via heart rate (HR) using HR monitors; and pulmonary gas exchange, namely oxygen consumption (VO2), using portable gas analysers, respectively. The most frequently assessed PAs were walking and lifting, changing or moving weights/objects. Agreement between the outcome measures ranged from 0 (%VO2peak vs metabolic equivalent of task [MET]; %HRpeak vs Fatigue Borg; MET vs walking speed) to 100% (%HRreserve vs dyspnoea Borg; fatigue and exertion Borg vs walking speed). %VO2peak/reserve elicited the highest intensity. Hence, Borg scores, %HRreserve and MET may underestimate PA-related intensity.
CONCLUSIONS
Various methodologies are used to assess single free-living PA-related intensity and yield different intensity levels for the same PA. Future studies, further exploring the agreement between the different outcome measures of PA-related intensity and discussing their advantages, disadvantages and applicability in real-world settings, are urgent. These would guide future worldwide recommendations on how to assess single free-living PA-related intensity in COPD, which is essential to optimise PA interventions and ensure patient safety.
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