Progressive walking plus elastic-band exercise for people with COPD
Official title: The Effect of Walking Exercise on Anxiety, Depression, Dyspnea, Life and Sleep Quality in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Run by Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation · NCT07185659 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 40 Years to 100 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 68 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (New Taipei City, Xindian Dist.) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 9, 2021 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2025 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2025 |
| Registry record updated | September 22, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07185659 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
-
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
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.