SMART COPD Feasibility Study v1.0

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Use of the SMART COPD physical activity app in pulmonary rehabilitation: a randomised feasibility study

  • IRAS ID

    188061

  • Contact name

    Mark S. Hawley

  • Contact email

    mark.hawley@sheffield.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    2 years, 1 months, 0 days

  • Research summary

    Lay Title: Can a smartphone ‘app’ be used to help people with COPD increase their physical activity?

    Lay Summary: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long term lung condition which causes breathlessness, tiredness and chest infections. People with the condition often find it difficult to carry out day-to-day activities and to live a normal life. Recent advances in technology have the potential to help people to self-manage their condition and live life to the full. The SMART COPD ‘app’ which is being used in this study has been developed, based on previous research and the views of people living with the condition, to help people with COPD increase their physical activity. Physical activity is known to be important in helping people with COPD to enjoy better health and to carry out meaningful activities. The current study will investigate whether or not the app could be used alongside existing health services, and whether or not people with COPD, as well as healthcare professionals, find the ‘app’ acceptable and easy to use.

    We will be working with three Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) teams in South Yorkshire. PR is an education and exercise programme for people with lung conditions, which aims to teach people the skills to help them self-manage their condition. We will investigate how PR is currently being delivered, and whether there would be any scope to include the app during and after PR to help people increase (or at least maintain) their physical activity levels longer term. We will then ‘try out’ the app with a small group of people with COPD who are attending PR, so that we can investigate whether the app is easy to use, whether any changes are needed, and the best way to use the app in the future.

  • REC name

    Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    15/YH/0458

  • Date of REC Opinion

    23 Nov 2015

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion