Progressive walking plus elastic-band exercise for people with COPD
The Effect of Walking Exercise on Anxiety, Depression, Dyspnea, Life and Sleep Quality in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
This study tests whether a three-month progressive walking program combined with elastic-band resistance and a wearable tracker can help people aged 40 and older with COPD and a history of smoking.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 68 (estimated) |
| Ages | 40 Years to 100 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (New Taipei City, Xindian Dist.) |
| Trial ID | NCT07185659 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Participants are assigned to an experimental group that receives standard care plus a progressive walking program, color-coded elastic-band resistance training, and a Xiaomi Mi Band 4 to record steps and sleep, or to a control group that wears the tracker only. Walking time is increased across three months (about 100 minutes/week in month 1, 150 minutes/week in month 2, and 150–300 minutes/week in month 3) while resistance bands progress from light to heavier. Each arm enrolls 34 participants, with eligibility limited to inpatients meeting GOLD criteria for COPD, age ≥40, post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <70%, history of smoking, and the ability to walk. Key exclusions include panic disorder, cognitive impairment, current cancer treatment, recent angina or myocardial infarction, high-intensity rehabilitation participation, or walking dysfunction, and the study is conducted at Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital in New Taipei City, Taiwan.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients aged 40 or older with COPD by GOLD criteria, a history of smoking, a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <70%, and the ability and willingness to perform walking exercises and provide consent.
Not a fit: Patients who cannot safely walk, those with recent cardiac events, active cancer treatment, significant cognitive impairment, panic disorder, or already enrolled in high-intensity rehabilitation are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could increase daily walking activity, improve exercise tolerance and sleep tracking, and help reduce COPD symptoms or improve quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Previous pulmonary rehabilitation and walking programs have repeatedly shown benefits for COPD, though the specific combination of progressive elastic-band resistance plus wearable monitoring has been less extensively studied.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Participants were recruited according to the following criteria. Inclusion Criteria: * Inpatients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria. * Age ≥ 40 years. * Post-bronchodilator FEV₁/FVC ratio \< 70%. * History of smoking. * Ability to perform walking exercises. * Willingness of the patient or a family member to provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Panic disorder. * Presence of delirium with inability to cooperate. * Currently receiving cancer treatment. * Angina pectoris or myocardial infarction within the past 3 months. * Currently undergoing high-intensity rehabilitation exercises.
Where this trial is running
New Taipei City, Xindian Dist.
- Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital — New Taipei City, Xindian Dist., Taiwan (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Pei-Ching Hung, Hand nurse — Taipei Tzuchi hospital
- Study coordinator: Pei-Ching Hung, Head nurse
- Email: linda8123@hotmail.com
- Phone: +886-2-66289779
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.