Implications for Rehabilitation
The evaluation of physical activity (PA) before and after pulmonary rehabilitation in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has evolved to be an important outcome measure.
Selecting an appropriate device to obtain valid measures of PA remains a challenge, especially for those individuals who walk slowly or use a rollator to assist with ambulation.
The StepWatchTM Activity Monitor and the ActivPAL have been shown in this study to be sensitive to small changes in step rate, thus these devices can be used to assess changes in physical activity in individuals with COPD such as following pulmonary rehabilitation, including those who walk slowly or use a walking aid such as a rollator.