Effects of physical training associated with behavioral change techniques and the influence of cardiorespiratory responses in sedentary time on individuals with COPD: A Randomized Clinical Trial

• Grant number: 23/18223-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Valéria Amorim Pires Di Lorenzo
• Grantee: Tiago de Almeida Araújo
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/00875-1 - Effects of a physical training program associated with behavior change strategies on motivation for physical exercise in individuals with COPD: a randomized clinical trial, AP.R

Abstract

Background: Individuals with COPD have pulmonary and extrapulmonary limitations, with dyspnea being the main limiting symptom, which makes the individuals less physically active and adopt sedentary behavior in daily life. Wearable technologies have been used to verify time spent in physical activities of daily living, but there are still few studies that have verified these variables after physical training programs associated with motivational approach strategies in individuals with COPD. Objectives: To compare the effects of physical training associated with Behavior Change Techniques in people with COPD. Methods: This is a controlled, randomized, blinded clinical trial. Individuals with COPD, aged > 50 years, attending the healthcare service in the city of São Carlos, under medical supervision, who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria, will be recruited. Participants will undergo an initial face-to-face assessment lasting two days, using the following questionnaires: Mini-Mental State Examination; Medical Research Council - MRC dyspnea; COPD Assessment Test; Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire - 3; 6-minute walk and step tests, one-minute sit to stand test, upper limb (SAEHAN) and lower limb (MicroFet®2) dynamometry, as well as a one-repetition maximum test, monitoring of the level and intensity of physical activity using an actigraph and the monitoring of cardiac and ventilatory responses by a Hexoskin smart shirt (Carré Technologies Inc). Participants will be randomized into two groups for the 12-week intervention. The intervention group will receive behavioral change strategies during the interventions. Both groups will receive the Mi Band watch to monitor their daily steps. Participants will be re-evaluated after 12 weeks with the same tests performed on the first evaluation. The data will be analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and a significance level of p ¿ 0.05 will be adopted. Expected findings: It is expected to rehabilitate patients with COPD, thus allowing a behavioral change towards physical exercise, as well as obtaining relevant information regarding sedentary behavior, and cardiac and ventilator responses, during physical activities of daily living in patients with COPD pre- and post-intervention.