The Impact of Tele-coaching on the Physical Activity Level

The Impact of Tele-coaching on the Physical Activity Level in Patients With Chronic Respiratory Disease

The study aims to test the benefits of a semi-automated tele-coaching program to coach adult participants with chronic lung disease towards a more active lifestyle.

The level of physical activity (PA) has been shown to be an important predictor for morbidity and mortality in individuals with chronic respiratory diseases, for instance Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior is a common feature of patients with chronic respiratory diseases. Pulmonary rehabilitation is known as a beneficial intervention in exercise capacity, disease symptoms and quality of life in respiratory diseases. Despite the overall large benefits on exercise capacity and other variables described above, it does not automatically translate into increases in PA. Recent literature shows that coaching programs specifically aiming to increase PA are more likely to result in PA changes.

Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the impact of 3-month (12 weeks) tele-coaching intervention on PA level of adult participants suffering from a chronic lung disease.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Stable patients, older than 18 years of age, with a diagnosis of interstitial lung disease
• Understands and is able to work with a smart phone application (judged by the investigator)
• On stable pharmacotherapy
• Diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) ≥30%predicted

Exclusion Criteria:

• On the waiting list for a lung transplantation
• Life expectancy below 3 months
• Respiratory tract infection or an exacerbation or change in maintenance medication within 4 weeks before study enrolment
• Extra pulmonary impairments, unrelated to the underlying lung disease, interfering with physical activity