ACTIV-COPD 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Promoting activity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Optimising high intensity interval training and technologies, a pilot study
IRAS ID
261750
Contact name
Michael Crooks
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Development Office
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 2 days
Research summary
This study is the first step in identifying a new way to exercise for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that causes less breathlessness while still providing the same health benefits. It will also identify whether watches that can monitor people’s activity have a role in encouraging people to become more active.
We will study a way of exercising called high intensity interval training (HIIT). In this form of exercise, people do a short burst of exercise followed by a period of rest. This is different to conventional approaches of exercise that are either self-paced or use a constant level of exercise for a prolonged period of time. It is well recognised that HIIT is as effective as and sometime more effective than these other forms of exercise but due to the short duration of more intense exercise, it appears to cause less breathlessness. So far, HIIT regimens used in COPD have used exercise bouts that last around 30 seconds. We believe that by using shorter bouts (5 to 10 seconds), people will be able to get the same benefit but with even less breathlessness. We will test this during this study that will involve COPD patients attending for 4 visits over a 2 week period.
We are also interested in a possible role for smartwatches (the Apple Watch) in encouraging people to become more active. These devices have not yet been tested to ensure that they are accurate at counting steps and measuring activity in people with COPD, who tend to have slower walking speeds than people without a lung condition. We will test the accuracy of the Apple Watch in people with COPD during this study.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/SC/0156
Date of REC Opinion
21 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion