Abstract
Walking aids, such as rollator or draisine, improve functional exercise performance in COPD patients during indoor 6-min walk test [Vaes et al. Chest 2012]. However, an indoor 6-min walk test may not reflect everyday walking, which is the most reported problematic activity of daily life in COPD [Annegarn et al. JAMDA 2012]. To date, efficacy of walking aids during outdoor use remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to determine the efficacy of a rollator or draisine on self-paced outdoor walking distance, time and speed in COPD.
20 COPD patients (60% men; age: 62±8 yrs; FEV1: 39±14 %pred) performed 2 or 3 self-paced outdoor walking tests on 2 consecutive days: test 1 unaided (if possible); test 2 and 3 with rollator or draisine in random order. Patients had to walk as long as possible at their own pace and test ended when they needed to stop (max. duration of 30 min).
The use of rollator resulted in highest walking distance and time (Table 1; p<0.05 vs. unaided and draisine). Furthermore, patients walked significantly further and longer during an unaided test compared to a draisine aided test (Table 1; p<0.05). Use of draisine resulted in the highest walking speed (Table 1; p<0.05 vs. unaided and rollator).
To conclude, a rollator improves outdoor walking distance and time in COPD patients, whereas the use of a draisine had no beneficial effects compared to unaided walking.
This study was supported by 'Stichting de Weijerhorst'.
- © 2013 ERS