Walking on level, uphill, or downhill slopes for people with COPD
The Effect of Aerobic Exercise Training in Different Slope Types on Exercise Capacity, Respiratory Functions, Muscle Strength, and Functional Status in COPD Patients
This project will try treadmill walking on level, uphill, and downhill slopes twice a week for eight weeks to see if one type helps people with COPD walk farther and breathe better.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 51 (estimated) |
| Ages | 40 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Acibadem University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Istanbul, Eyüp Sultan) |
| Trial ID | NCT06283004 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized, block‑assigned interventional study will enroll ambulatory adults with COPD and assign them to one of three eight‑week treadmill programs (level, uphill, or downhill walking) performed twice weekly. Baseline 6‑minute walk distance will set initial walking speed, and training speed and duration will be progressively increased during the program. Outcomes include exercise capacity, respiratory function, muscle strength, and functional status measured before and after the intervention. The protocol uses convenience sampling and targets a small sample size (24 total, 8 per group) calculated by a priori power analysis.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ambulatory adults with COPD in GOLD groups A, B, or E who have no contraindications to exercise and score ≥24 on the mini‑mental test are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with very severe COPD (GOLD 4), hypoxemia, recent exacerbation, other significant respiratory disease, recent pulmonary surgery, active malignancy, or major uncontrolled cardiac/orthopedic/neurologic conditions are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify a specific walking slope that improves exercise capacity, breathing, and leg muscle function to inform pulmonary rehabilitation programs.
How similar studies have performed: A few small prior studies have suggested downhill walking can help COPD patients, but the evidence base is limited and not yet conclusive.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Being diagnosed with COPD (A, B, E groups according to GOLD assessment) * Ambulate on your own * Not having any contraindications for exercise * To be mentally appropriate (score 24 points and above in the mini mental test) Exclusion Criteria: * Being in GOLD 4 stage in spirometric evaluation * Presence of hypoxemia * Participation in another pulmonary rehabilitation program within the last 6 months * Having an exacerbation in the last 1 month * Being diagnosed with additional respiratory disease (asthma, bronchiectasis, etc.) * Having had pulmonary surgery * Having an orthopedic, neurological or cardiac disease that affects exercise * Having uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes * Presence of malignancy
Where this trial is running
Istanbul, Eyüp Sultan
- Bezmialem Vakif University, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation — Istanbul, Eyüp Sultan, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Meryem Bektaş Karakuş, Res Asst.
- Email: meryem.bektas@acibadem.edu.tr
- Phone: +90 216 500 4195
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.