Using step counters to promote physical activity and exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although step counters are popularly employed for physical rehabilitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, their effectiveness is inconsistent and even questioned. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate whether step counter use increases physical activity or improves exercise capacity in COPD patients.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials that assessed the efficacy of step counter use in increasing physical activity or in improving exercise capacity. Data were aggregated using a random-effects model to get the overall effect sizes [standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI)], and subgroup analyses were performed.

Results

A total of 15 trials enrolling 1316 patients with m

SUBMITTER: Qiu S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6048621 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature