Usefulness of the human activity profile, a functional performance measure, in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
OBJECTIVE
To further evaluate the usefulness of the Human Activity Profile (HAP) as a functional performance measure for those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).


METHODS
Phase 1. The sample consisted of 53 outpatients (51 male) with stable COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 second% predicted (FEV1% pred) = 38 +/- 14 (mean +/- standard deviation) at a university-affiliated veterans affairs medical center. Variables were functional performance (HAP Maximal Activity Score [MAS], HAP Adjusted Activity Score [AAS]), dyspnea (modified Borg category-ratio scale and Shortness of Breath Questionnaire [SOBQ]), and exercise capacity (6-minute walk distance [6MWD]). Phase 2. The HAP was administered pre-post pulmonary rehabilitation in 48 (14 male) outpatients with stable COPD (FEV1% pred = 35 +/- 15) at an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program at a large private hospital.


RESULTS
Phase 1. Scores for MAS and AAS were, respectively, 62 +/- 12 and 44 +/- 15. The 6MWD, modified Borg, and SOBQ were, respectively, 1055 +/- 372 ft, 4.1 +/- 1, and 64.4 +/- 22 ft. Correlations of the 6MWD and dyspnea scores with the AAS were strong and explained 40% of the AAS variation. Phase 2. The baseline MAS and AAS scores were 55 +/- 14 and 42 +/- 15, respectively, with 29/48 (60%) classified as "low fitness" on the basis of the AAS. Post-rehabilitation, there was significant improvement in the AAS score (48 +/- 13) and significant reduction for those classified as "low fitness."


CONCLUSIONS
The utility of the HAP as a measure of functional performance improvement in COPD is supported by its relationship with both 6MWD and dyspnea and its responsiveness to pulmonary rehabilitation.
Nield
Margaret
M
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, West Los Angeles, California 90073, USA. margaret.nield@med.va.gov
Hoo
Guy Soo
GS
Roper
Janice
J
Santiago
Silverio
S
Dracup
Kathleen
K
D000368:Aged; D002140:California; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012647:Self-Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans