These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: The short-term effect of a rollator on functional exercise capacity among individuals with severe COPD.
    Author: Solway S, Brooks D, Lau L, Goldstein R.
    Journal: Chest; 2002 Jul; 122(1):56-65. PubMed ID: 12114339.
    Abstract:
    STUDY OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine the short-term effects of using a rollator on functional exercise capacity among individuals with COPD and to characterize which individuals benefit most from its use. DESIGN: Repeated-measures randomized crossover design using the 6-min walk test (6MWT) as the primary outcome measure. SETTING: Respiratory rehabilitation center. PATIENTS: Forty stable subjects who had received a diagnosis of COPD. INTERVENTIONS: Two 6MWTs were performed on each study day. One 6MWT was performed unaided, and the other was performed with a rollator. The order was randomized on the first day and reversed on the second day. RESULTS: Use of the rollator was associated with a significant reduction in dyspnea (p < 0.001) and duration of rest (reduction for the total group, 19 s; and reduction for those who walked < 300 m unaided, 40 s; p = 0.001) during the 6MWT. For subjects who walked < 300 m unaided, there was also a significant improvement in distance walked (p = 0.02). No changes were found for the measures of cardiorespiratory function or gait (p > 0.05). The requirement to rest during an unaided 6MWT was a significant predictor of improved functional exercise capacity with the use of the rollator (p < 0.005). The majority of subjects whose unaided 6MWT distance was < 300 m preferred using the rollator to walking unaided. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a rollator was effective in improving functional exercise capacity by reducing dyspnea and rest duration among stable individuals with severe COPD. Individuals who walked < 300 m and individuals who required a rest during an unaided 6MWT benefited the most from using a rollator in terms of reduced dyspnea, reduced rest time, and improved distance walked.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]