The Effect of Walking Exercise in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Conditions studied

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

About this study

"Patients were divided into two groups: the experimental group (E group) and the control group (C group). The E group received standard care, walking exercise, and elastic band exercise, and wore a smart bracelet to record walking steps and sleep for three months. During the first month, participants performed walking exercise for 100 minutes per week and used a red elastic band for resistance training. In the second month, walking exercise increased to 150 minutes per week with a green elastic band. In the third month, walking exercise increased to 150-300 minutes per week with a blue elastic band. The C group wore the smart bracelet to record walking steps and sleep for three months. Each group included 34 participants. The study was conducted from September 9, 2021, to December 31, 2025. Exclusion criteria included panic disorder, cognitive impairment, current cancer treatment, angina pectoris or myocardial infarction within the past 3 months, participation in high-intensity rehabilitation exercise, and walking dysfunction. Participants were required to follow the study protocol. * Assessments\*\*: * Anxiety and Depression\*\*:Measured using the Chinese version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). * Dyspnea\*\*:Measured using the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale. * Life and Sleep quality\*\*:Measured using the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and Chinese Version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (CPSQI).

Interventions

• Device: Elastic band — Thera-Band® elastic band exercise protocol: First stage (weeks 1-4): Participants performed leg resistance stretching exercises with a red elastic band. In weeks 1-2, exercises were performed 3 times per week, with 2 sets per session; in weeks 3-4, 3 times per week, with 3 sets per session. Second stage (weeks 5-8): Participants performed leg resistance stretching exercises with a green elastic band. In weeks 5-6, exercises were performed 3 times per week, with 2 sets per session; in weeks 7-8, 3 times per week, with 3 sets per session. Third stage (weeks 9-12): Participants performed leg resistance stretching exercises with a blue elastic band. In weeks 9-10, exercises were performed 3 times per week, with 2 sets per session; in weeks 11-12, 3 times per week, with 3 sets per session.
• Device: Xiaomi Mi Band 4 wearable device — The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 wearable device has been certified by the National Communications Commission (Certification No. CCAG19LP0080T6). From weeks 1 to 12, participants' daily walking steps were monitored using the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 wearable device.
• Behavioral: Walking — Walking exercise plan

Primary outcomes

• Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) (Patients were assessed before discharge as the baseline, and reassessed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-discharge.)
• modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) (Patients were assessed before discharge as the baseline, and reassessed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-discharge.)
• COPD Assessment Test (CAT) (Patients were assessed before discharge as the baseline, and reassessed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-discharge.)
• Chinese Version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (CPSQI) (Patients were assessed before discharge as the baseline, and reassessed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-discharge.)
• Six-Minute Walk Test ( 6MWT ) (Patients were assessed before discharge as the baseline, and reassessed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-discharge.)

Eligibility information

Study locations

• Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, New Taipei City, Xindian Dist. 23142 Taiwan