1-year physical activity coaching programme in lung transplant recipients: an RCT

INTRODUCTION: Most lung transplant (LTX) recipients do not meet physical activity (PA) guidelines. Interventions are needed as long-term inactivity is related to morbidity and mortality. We investigated the effect of a telecoaching programme on objectively measured PA in LTX recipients. METHODS: Inactive patients (<7500 steps/day, n=90) were randomised into a light or intensive version of a 1-year PA telecoaching programme. The light intervention consisted of a step counter and a minimal version of the smartphone application. Patients randomised to the intensive intervention discussed PA barriers and goals, received a step counter, a patient-tailored smartphone application and supportive coaching calls. PA (primary outcome, assessed by an accelerometer), physical function, quality of life and symptoms were measured at baseline, after 3 months (primary endpoint) and 1 year. Mixed model analyses were used to investigate the effectiveness of the intervention compared with the light intervention. RESULTS: Between-group difference in change after 3 months and 1 year was observed as mean (CI) 750 (-96 to 1596) (p=0.08) and 680 (-244 to 1605) steps per day (p=0.15), 10 (-0.5 to 20) and 10 (-1 to 22) min of total moving time (walking, taking stairs and cycling) (both p=0.07) and -3 (-6 to 0) (p=0.07) and -6 (-10 to -2) (p=0.002) of sedentary time, all in favour of the intervention group. Other outcomes did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: PA tends to improve in LTX recipients by following an intensive telecoaching programme compared with a light programme. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04122768.