The Effects of a "New" Walking Aid on Exercise Performance in Patients With COPD: A Randomized Crossover Trial

ABSTRACTBackgroundGenerally, the use of a rollator improves mobility in patients with COPD. Nevertheless, not all patients benefit from its use and many patients feel embarrassed about its use. Therefore, other walking aids are worthwhile to consider. We compared the direct effects of a 'new' ambulation aid (a modern draisine) to a rollator on six-minute walk distance (6MWD) in COPD.Methods21 patients with COPD performed two 6-minute walk tests (6MWTs) during pre-rehabilitation assessment (best 6MWD: 369+/-88 m). Additionally, two extra 6MWTs were performed on two consecutive days in random order: 1x with rollator and 1x with modern draisine. Walking pattern (n=21) was determined using an accelerometer and metabolic requirements (n=10) were assessed using a mobile oxycon.ResultsWalking with the modern draisine resulted in a higher 6MWD compared to the rollator (466+/-189 vs. 383+/-85 m). Moreover, patients had fewer strides (245+/-61 vs. 300+/-49) and a greater stride length (1.89+/-0.73 vs. 1.27+/-0.14 m) using the modern draisine compared to the rollator (all: p</=0.001). Oxygen uptake, ventilation, heart rate, oxygen saturation and Borg symptom scores were comparable between both walking aids. Ten percent of the patients felt embarrassed using the modern draisine compared to 19% for rollator; while a significantly smaller proportion of patients would use the modern draisine in daily life.ConclusionThe mean difference in 6MWD between modern draisine and rollator seems clinically relevant, with the same metabolic requirements and symptom Borg scores. Therefore, this 'new' ambulation aid could be a good alternative for the rollator to improve functional exercise performance in patients with COPD.