Investigating physical performance and activity in COPD patients

Activity, Balance and COPD: An Exploratory Study of Physical Activity and Balance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Observational Imperial College London · NCT04006015

This study looks at how physical strength, balance, and walking ability affect daily activity levels in people with COPD and other lung diseases, while also trying out new ways to measure their performance.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment82 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 99 Years
SexAll
SponsorImperial College London Academic / other
Locations1 site (London)
Trial IDNCT04006015 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research project explores the relationship between physical performance, such as strength, balance, and walking ability, and daily physical activity in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other chronic lung diseases. It includes a prospective observational study where participants will undergo assessments of their physical capacity and wear activity monitors for a week to track their daily activity levels. Additionally, a parallel study will compare traditional performance assessments with semi-automated monitoring during routine clinical care. A qualitative component will gather insights from participants involved in dance groups, aiming to inform future interventions for enhancing physical activity in this population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults with stable chronic lung disease who can understand instructions and are matched with healthy controls.

Not a fit: Patients with significant comorbidities affecting mobility or recent exacerbations of lung disease may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved understanding of physical activity patterns in COPD patients, potentially informing better management strategies.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success in assessing physical performance in chronic lung disease, but the specific combination of methodologies in this study is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults with stable chronic lung disease
* Able to understand instructions.
* Age and sex matched healthy controls.

Exclusion Criteria:

* For the main study, the presence of other comorbidities causing a significant reduction in mobility (for example stroke with neurological deficits, severe arthritis, significant peripheral neuropathy, significant visual impairment, dementia etc.).
* exacerbation of lung disease within the last 2 months.

Where this trial is running

London

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions COPD
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.