The Roles of Peers and Functional Tasks in Enhancing Exercise Training for Adults With COPD

The Roles of Peers and Functional Tasks in Enhancing Exercise Training for Adults With COPD: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aims to evaluate the effects of an online exercise and peer support intervention for people living with COPD. In the framework of a randomized control trial, 24 adults with COPD will be recruited to participate in the study and will be randomly assigned to either the control or intervention group. The control group will participate in an 8-week virtual program based on the exercise component of a standard home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program (one online consultation and 7 phone calls with a kinesiologist). The intervention group will participate in a twice a week online intervention that includes an exercise component based on individuals' activities of daily living and a peer support component where individuals will be taught and encouraged to discuss behaviour change techniques that have been shown to help support increased participation in physical activity and/or exercise. The goal of this study is to determine the efficacy of the novel online exercise intervention and whether the benefits are above other intervention options.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals must be at least 18 years of age, have no diagnosed cognitive impairment, have a COPD diagnosis, be medically able to participate in exercise (confirmed by healthcare professional in the past 2 years), have access to a computer with a camera and internet, speak English or French, and have the intention to become physically active in the next 2 months or have been minimally active (<150 minutes per week) in the past 2 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• less than 18 years of age, diagnosed with a cognitive impairment, not diagnosed with COPD by a medical professional, unable to participate in exercise or unconfirmed in the past 2 years from a medical professional, no access to a computer and internet.