Key result
An educational intervention and pedometer-based self-monitoring did not significantly change physical activity levels in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension after 12 weeks (P=0.57).
Why the study?
Physical activity benefits patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, but the effects of physician recommendations and pedometer-based self-monitoring remained to be examined.
Does an educational intervention and pedometer-based self-monitoring improve physical activity levels in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension?
Does an educational intervention and pedometer-based self-monitoring improve physical activity levels in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension?
p-value: p=0.57
A simple educational intervention and pedometer-based self-monitoring were insufficient to significantly increase physical activity levels in patients with stable pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Physician PhA advice plus pedometer monitoring insufficient in stable PAH; leaves open need for more intensive interventions in trials.
Background: Appropriate levels of physical activity (PhA) provide health benefits to patients with chronic diseases, including patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In this study, we examined the effect of physicians' PhA recommendations on PhA, and the benefits and effectiveness of PhA self-monitoring using a pedometer for PAH patients. Methods: A prospective clinical trial was performed from 22 April 2021, with consecutive PAH outpatients in stable condition at least three months prior to the study. Each patient was educated about the benefits of PhA in PAH during the initial visit. Patients wore pedometers (Omron HJ-321-E) for 2 weeks. After PhA assessment, the patients were contacted by a physician by phone. Patients who walked <5,000 steps per day (inactive group) were recommended to increase their PhA, and patients who walked ≥5,000 steps per day (active group) were recommended to maintain this level of PhA. Patients wore pedometers for 3 months. The primary endpoint was the number of steps taken after 12 weeks of the study. The secondary endpoints were the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), quality of life (QoL) (36-Item Short-Form Health Survey), and anxiety and depression levels. Results: The study included 41 PAH patients aged 45.9±11.9 years, with 32 (78%) of them women. Initially, 18 (44%) patients were in the inactive group (2-week mean: 3,318±1,185 steps/day) while 23 (56%) patients were in the active group (2-week mean: 7,647±1,991 steps/day). The entire study group showed an insignificant decrease in their PhA from 5,203 [interquartile range (IQR), 3,787-7,387] to 4,672 (IQR, 3,821-7,201) steps per day (P=0.57). Patients in the inactive group showed an insignificant increase in their PhA after 12 weeks [increase in the average number of steps per day by 104 (IQR, -244 to 1,007), P=0.52], while patients in the active group showed an insignificant trend towards PhA reduction [change in average daily steps: -815 (IQR, -1,400 to 580), P=0.37]. There were no differences at week 12 in the 6MWD, N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level, QoL, or levels of anxiety and depression, all P values >0.05. Conclusions: Education, a simple recommendation about PhA, and self-monitoring with a pedometer are insufficient to achieve intervention in PAH patients. Additional methods of motivating and supervising these patients are necessary.
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Wieteska et al. (2024) studied pulmonary arterial hypertension (n=41). Educational intervention and pedometer-based self-monitoring was evaluated on Number of steps taken after 12 weeks of the study (p=0.57). An educational intervention and pedometer-based self-monitoring did not significantly change physical activity levels in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension after 12 weeks (P=0.57).
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