title: The effects of a "new" walking aid on exercise performance in patients with COPD: a randomized crossover trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Generally, 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 using it. Therefore, other walking aids are worthwhile to consider. We compared the direct effects of a "new" ambulation aid (a modern draisine) with the effects of a rollator on 6-min walk distance (6MWD) in patients with COPD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one patients with COPD performed two 6-min walk tests (6MWTs) during prerehabilitation assessment (best 6MWD: 369 ± 88 m). Additionally, two extra 6MWTs were performed on two consecutive days in random order: one time with a rollator and one time with a modern draisine. Walking pattern (n = 21) was determined using an accelerometer, and metabolic requirements (n = 10) were assessed using a mobile oxycon.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Walking with the modern draisine resulted in a higher 6MWD compared with walking with the rollator (466 ± 189 m vs 383 ± 85 m). Moreover, patients had fewer strides (245 ± 61 vs 300 ± 49) and a greater stride length (1.89 ± 0.73 m vs 1.27 ± 0.14 m) using the modern draisine compared with the rollator (all P ≤ .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 with 19% for the rollator, and a significantly smaller proportion of patients would use the modern draisine in daily life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mean difference in 6MWD between a modern draisine and a rollator seems clinically relevant, with the same metabolic requirements and symptom Borg scores. Therefore, this "new" ambulation aid could be a good alternative to the rollator to improve functional exercise performance in patients with COPD.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The Netherlands National Trial Registry; No.: NTR1542; URL: www.trialregister.nl.
authors: Program Development Centre, CIRO+, Horn; Department of Physiotherapy, CIRO+, Horn. Electronic address: anoukvaes@ciro-horn.nl.
authors: Anouk W
authors: AW
authors: Vaes
authors: Department of Human Movement Science, School for Nutrition, Toxicology and Metabolism, MUMC1, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: Janneke
authors: J
authors: Annegarn
authors: Department of Human Movement Science, School for Nutrition, Toxicology and Metabolism, MUMC1, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: Kenneth
authors: K
authors: Meijer
authors: Program Development Centre, CIRO+, Horn.
authors: Martijn W J
authors: MWJ
authors: Cuijpers
authors: Program Development Centre, CIRO+, Horn.
authors: Frits M E
authors: FME
authors: Franssen
authors: Department of Occupational Therapy, CIRO+, Horn.
authors: Jozé
authors: J
authors: Wiechert
authors: Program Development Centre, CIRO+, Horn; Department of Respiratory Medicine, MUMC+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: Emiel F M
authors: EFM
authors: Wouters
authors: Program Development Centre, CIRO+, Horn.
authors: Martijn A
authors: MA
authors: Spruit
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D051341:Dependent Ambulation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014853:Walkers