@article {Vaes209, author = {Anouk W. Vaes and Janneke Annegarn and Kenneth Meijer and Martijn W. Cuijpers and Frits M.E. Franssen and Joz{\'e} Wiechert and Emiel F.M. Wouters and Martijn A. Spruit}, title = {Effects of a new walking aid on 6MWD in COPD patients}, volume = {38}, number = {Suppl 55}, elocation-id = {209}, year = {2011}, publisher = {European Respiratory Society}, abstract = {COPD patients often experience walking as a problematic daily activity. Although a rollator can improve mobility, many patients feel ashamed to use it. Therefore, other walking aids may be worthwhile to consider. We aimed to determine whether a new walking aid (fig1a) has similar direct effects on 6MWD as a rollator (fig1b) in COPD patients.Figure 1. A: Walking frame {\textquotedblleft}City{\textquotedblright}, B: rollator.21 COPD patients (52\% men; age: 64{\textpm}10yrs; FEV1: 42{\textpm}15\% pred) performed 2 6MWTs during pre-rehabilitation assessment (mean best 6MWD: 369{\textpm}88 m). In addition, 2 extra 6MWTs were randomly performed on 2 consecutive days: 1x with rollator and 1x with walking frame. Walking pattern (n=21) was determined using an accelerometer and metabolic demands (n=10) were assessed using a mobile oxycon.Using walking frame resulted in a higher mean 6MWD (466{\textpm}189 vs. 383{\textpm}85 m) and fewer steps (491{\textpm}122 vs. 601{\textpm}98) compared to a rollator (all p\<0.05). Oxygen uptake, ventilation, heart rate, oxygen saturation and Borg symptom scores were comparable. 19\% felt ashamed using rollator compared to 10\% using walking frame.Functional exercise performance can be improved using walking aids in COPD patients. Moreover, using walking frame led to a significant improvement in 6MWD compared to using rollator, with the same metabolic demands. Therefore, the new walking aid may be a good alternative for a rollator in COPD patients.This study was financially supported by {\textquotedblleft}Stichting De Weijerhorst{\textquotedblright}.}, issn = {0903-1936}, URL = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/209}, eprint = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content}, journal = {European Respiratory Journal} }