Changes in physical activity during hospital admission for chronic respiratory disease

Physical Activity Profiles among Patients Admitted with Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

People with hospitalised acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) exhibit low levels of physical activity (PA) and increased risks of future exacerbations. While methods to objectively measure and express PA are established for people with stable COPD, less clarity exists for people during AECOPD. Further, the relationship between PA during AECOPD and clinically relevant outcomes remains uncertain. The purpose of the study was to evaluate how much PA (step count and intensity) people accumulate during hospitalised AECOPDs, and the effect of accumulated inpatient PA (expressed via differing metrics) on length of stay (LOS), PA recovery, and readmission risk. This study was a secondary analysis of prospective observational cohort data collected with Actigraph wActiSleep-BT devices from patients with AECOPD in a Melbourne hospital from 2016 to 2018. Step counts and PA intensity throughout the hospital admission and at one-month follow-up were collected and analysed. Sixty-eight participants were recruited for inpatient measurement, and 51 were retained for follow-up. There were no significant changes in step count or intensity across the inpatient days, but 33/51 (65%) of participants demonstrated a clinically meaningful improvement in steps per day from 3817.0 to 6173.7 at follow-up. Participants spent most time sedentary and in light PA, with both PA metrics demonstrating significant influences on LOS and follow-up PA intensity, but with generally low explanatory power (R2 value range 7-22%). Those who had LOS < 5 days spent significantly less time sedentary and more time in light PA than those with LOS ≥ 5 days (p < 0.001 for both). Time spent sedentary or in light PA appears to be the most promising metric to associate with clinically relevant outcomes related to recovery following AECOPD. These findings can inform future clinical practice for the evaluation of inpatient PA to better establish its role in the clinical management of patients with AECOPD.

The Role of Wearable Sensors to Monitor Physical Activity and Sleep Patterns in Older Adult Inpatients: A Structured Review

Low levels of physical activity (PA) and sleep disruption are commonly seen in older adult inpatients and are associated with poor health outcomes. Wearable sensors allow for objective continuous monitoring; however, there is no consensus as to how wearable sensors should be implemented. This review aimed to provide an overview of the use of wearable sensors in older adult inpatient populations, including models used, body placement and outcome measures. Five databases were searched; 89 articles met inclusion criteria. We found that studies used heterogenous methods, including a variety of sensor models, placement and outcome measures. Most studies reported the use of only one sensor, with either the wrist or thigh being the preferred location in PA studies and the wrist for sleep outcomes. The reported PA measures can be mostly characterised as the frequency and duration of PA (Volume) with fewer measures relating to intensity (rate of magnitude) and pattern of activity (distribution per day/week). Sleep and circadian rhythm measures were reported less frequently with a limited number of studies providing both physical activity and sleep/circadian rhythm outcomes concurrently. This review provides recommendations for future research in older adult inpatient populations. With protocols of best practice, wearable sensors could facilitate the monitoring of inpatient recovery and provide measures to inform participant stratification and establish common objective endpoints across clinical trials.

A proof of concept for continuous, non-invasive, free-living vital signs monitoring to predict readmission following an acute exacerbation of COPD: a prospective cohort study

Background

The use of vital signs monitoring in the early recognition of an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) post-hospital discharge is limited. This study investigated whether continuous vital signs monitoring could predict an AECOPD and readmission.

Methods

35 people were recruited at discharge following hospitalisation for an AECOPD. Participants were asked to wear an Equivital LifeMonitor during waking hours for 6 weeks and to complete the Exacerbations of Chronic Pulmonary Disease Tool (EXACT), a 14-item symptom diary, daily. The Equivital LifeMonitor recorded respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), skin temperature (ST) and physical activity (PA) every 15-s. An AECOPD was classified as mild (by EXACT score), moderate (prescribed oral steroids/antibiotics) or severe (hospitalisation).

Results

Over the 6-week period, 31 participants provided vital signs and symptom data and 14 participants experienced an exacerbation, of which, 11 had sufficient data to predict an AECOPD. HR and PA were associated with EXACT score (p < 0.001). Three days prior to an exacerbation, RR increased by mean ± SD 2.0 ± 0.2 breaths/min for seven out of 11 exacerbations and HR increased by 8.1 ± 0.7 bpm for nine of these 11 exacerbations.

Conclusions

Increased heart rate and reduced physical activity were associated with worsening symptoms. Even with high-resolution data, the variation in vital signs data remains a challenge for predicting AECOPDs. Respiratory rate and heart rate should be further explored as potential predictors of an impending AECOPD.

Trial registration: ISRCTN registry; ISRCTN12855961. Registered 07 November 2018—Retrospectively registered, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12855961

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12931-022-02018-5.

Physical activity and moving more for health

Non-communicable diseases are a leading cause of death and levels are rising. Lifestyle changes, including physical activity, have benefits in all-cause mortality, cardiovascular and metabolic disease, respiratory conditions and cognitive and mental health. In some cancers, particularly colon, prostate and breast, physical activity improves quality of life and outcomes before, during and after treatment. Sedentary time is an independent risk factor with adverse effects in hospitalised patients. Mechanisms include anti-inflammatory effects and augmentation of physiological and neuroendocrine responses to stressors. Engaging patients is affected by barriers: for clinicians, awareness of guidelines and personal physical activity levels are important factors; for patients, barriers are influenced by life events, socioeconomic and cultural factors. Interventions to increase activity levels are effective in the short- and medium-term, including brief interventions. Face-to-face is more effective than remote advice and behavioural interventions are more effective than cognitive. There are no published guidelines for physical activity in hospitalised patients.

Web-Based Self-management Program (SPACE for COPD) for Individuals Hospitalized With an Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Nonrandomized Feasibility Trial of Acceptability

BACKGROUND

Hospital admissions due to the acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are costly for individuals and health services. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is known to reduce hospital readmissions when delivered after hospitalization, but the uptake and completion of PR following hospitalization remains poor (<10% of those eligible in the UK audit data). A web-based platform of the SPACE (Self-management Program of Activity Coping and Education) for COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) has previously shown promising results in patients with stable COPD but has not been tested following an AECOPD.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a web-based self-management program.

METHODS

A nonrandomized feasibility study for patients with confirmed AECOPD who were deemed web literate was conducted. All patients consented during their hospitalization and received access to the website following discharge in addition to usual care. The program aims to facilitate patients to better understand and manage their condition through education and home-based exercises. Participants were asked to complete the Bristol COPD Knowledge Questionnaire at baseline and after 6 months. A total of 14 participants were also interviewed (n=8 completers; n=6 noncompleters) regarding their experiences with the web-based program and trial. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 2080 patients were screened for eligibility, of which 100 patients (age: mean 71.2 years, SD 9.3 years; male: 55/100, 55%; forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity ratio: mean 0.46, SD 0.14; pack-years: mean 50.2, SD 31.0; current smokers: 35/100, 35%) were recruited (4.8% of those screened). The main reason for ineligibility was a lack of web literacy (1366/1980, 68.98%). In total, 18% (18/100) of patients had completed the web program by 6 months, with others still registered in the program (27/100, 27%), and more than half did not register (55/100, 55%). There was a mean change in Bristol COPD Knowledge Questionnaire scores at 6 months of 7.8 (SD 10.2) points. Qualitative interviews identified three main themes: preparing for, engagement with, and benefits of the study and program. A total of 57% (57/100) accepted a referral to PR on discharge and 19% (19/100) had completed the program after 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of the challenges of recruiting, retaining, and engaging participants in a web-based self-management program, it is not a feasible approach to roll out widely. This study acknowledges that this is a challenging time for patients with an AECOPD to engage in exercise and self-management education. However, for patients who were able to engage in such an intervention, the completion rate of PR was double the previous audit estimates from the United Kingdom, disease knowledge improved, and the intervention was of value to patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN Registry 13081008; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN13081008.

Physical exercise during acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Australian physiotherapy practice

Evidence supports an important role for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) after acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD); however, the role of physical exercise during hospitalisation is less clear. This study evaluated Australian physiotherapy practice and clinical perspectives regarding exercise and physical activity for patients with AECOPD. A national survey of 123 Australian public hospitals was conducted from 2016 to 2017 using a purpose-designed survey measuring self-reported physical exercise prescription, objective measure use, referral patterns and factors influencing service delivery. The response rate was 72% (88 hospitals; 176 physiotherapists). Most physiotherapists (92%) prescribed physical exercise frequently for patients with AECOPD and perceived their role to be important (81%). The most commonly prescribed modalities were ground walking (94%), sit-to-stand (89%) and non-equipment-based lower limb strengthening (79%). Only 32% of respondents offered physiotherapy evaluation during post-discharge outpatient clinic appointments at their hospital. While 71% of respondents indicated they frequently referred patients to PR after AECOPD, rates were significantly higher in those with more cardiorespiratory experience (82%) than those with less experience (66%; p = 0.026). Australian physiotherapists frequently prescribe simple physical exercise modalities for patients with AECOPD. PR referral rates appear influenced by clinician experience, which may need consideration in future remedial strategies.

Standardising the measurement of physical activity in people receiving haemodialysis: considerations for research and practice

BACKGROUND

Physical activity (PA) is exceptionally low amongst the haemodialysis (HD) population, and physical inactivity is a powerful predictor of mortality, making it a prime focus for intervention. Objective measurement of PA using accelerometers is increasing, but standard reporting guidelines essential to effectively evaluate, compare and synthesise the effects of PA interventions are lacking. This study aims to (i) determine the measurement and processing guidance required to ensure representative PA data amongst a diverse HD population, and; (ii) to assess adherence to PA monitor wear amongst HD patients.

METHODS

Clinically stable HD patients from the UK and China wore a SenseWear Armband accelerometer for 7 days. Step count between days (HD, Weekday, Weekend) were compared using repeated measures ANCOVA. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) determined reliability (≥0.80 acceptable). Spearman-Brown prophecy formula, in conjunction with a priori ≥  80% sample size retention, identified the minimum number of days required for representative PA data.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven patients (64% men, mean ± SD age 56 ± 14 years, median (interquartile range) time on HD 40 (19-72) months, 40% Chinese, 60% British) participated. Participants took fewer steps on HD days compared with non-HD weekdays and weekend days (3402 [95% CI 2665-4140], 4914 [95% CI 3940-5887], 4633 [95% CI 3558-5707] steps/day, respectively, p < 0.001). PA on HD days were less variable than non-HD days, (ICC 0.723-0.839 versus 0.559-0.611) with ≥ 1 HD day and ≥  3 non-HD days required to provide representative data. Using these criteria, the most stringent wear-time retaining ≥ 80% of the sample was ≥7 h.

CONCLUSIONS

At group level, a wear-time of ≥7 h on ≥1HD day and ≥ 3 non-HD days is required to provide reliable PA data whilst retaining an acceptable sample size. PA is low across both HD and non- HD days and future research should focus on interventions designed to increase physical activity in both the intra and interdialytic period.

Treatable traits in acute exacerbations of chronic airway diseases

Acute exacerbations of chronic airway disease are common occurrences that cause a major burden of illness. Acute exacerbations are associated with impaired health status, increased lung function decline, hospitalization and increased risk of death. Exacerbation avoidance is a major priority. Despite this goal, exacerbations continue to occur and the need for effective models of care that optimize patient outcomes are urgently needed. 'Treatable Traits' is an approach to personalized medicine that has been proposed for the management of airway diseases. The treatable traits approach allows for the recognition of clinically important, identifiable and treatable disease characteristics, followed by targeted and individualized treatment interventions to address each trait. We review the literature relating to treatable traits in airway diseases; in particular, those traits that can predict exacerbations and approaches to management that aim to prevent exacerbations by using a treatable traits model of care. We propose this approach as a potentially useful model of care to both prevent and manage acute exacerbations.