title: Effects of a walking aid in COPD patients receiving oxygen therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To elucidate whether a simple walking aid may improve physical performance in COPD patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency who usually carry their own heavy oxygen canister.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized crossover trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physiopathology laboratory of three rehabilitation centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 60 stable COPD patients (mean age, 70.6 +/- 7.9 years; FEV(1), 44.8 +/- 14.3% of predicted [+/- SD]) with chronic respiratory insufficiency who randomly performed, on 2 consecutive days, a standardized 6-min walking test using two different modalities: a full-weight oxygen canister transported using a small wheeled cart and pulled by the patient (Aid modality) or full-weight oxygen canister carried on the patient's shoulder (No-Aid modality).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The distance walked, peak effort dyspnea, and leg fatigue scores as primary outcomes, and other cardiorespiratory parameters as secondary outcomes were recorded during both tests. A significant difference (p < 0.05) between the two tests occurred for all the measured outcomes in favor of the Aid modality. Most importantly, significant changes for distance (+ 43 m, p < 0.001), peak effort dyspnea (- 2.0 points, p < 0.001), leg fatigue (- 1.4 points, p < 0.001), as well as for mean and nadir oxygen saturation and heart rate with the Aid modality (but not with the No-Aid modality) were recorded in the subgroup of patients walking < 300 m at baseline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that a simple walking aid may be helpful in COPD patients receiving long-term oxygen therapy, particularly in those with lower residual exercise capacity.
authors.affiliation: University of Modena-Reggio Emilia, Department of Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Ospedale Villa Pineta, Italy, Via Gaiato 127, 41026 Pavullo n/F (MO), USA.
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Crisafulli
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Costi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Blasio
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Biscione
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Americi
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Penza
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eutropio
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pasqua
authors.forename: Leonardo M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Fabbri
authors.forename: Enrico M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Clini
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002183:Canes; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010092:Oximetry; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014853:Walkers; D016138:Walking