Effects of individualized target setting on step count in Japanese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a pilot study

Introduction: Improving physical activity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a very important issue; however, effective recommended targets for individual patients remain to be determined. Material and methods: We developed a method for setting a target value for the step count for each patient using a measured value and the predicted step count. We then evaluated the effect of providing a pedometer or a pedometer with this target value for eight weeks on the step count in patients with COPD. Results: Sixteen stable COPD patients were included in the analysis. Overall, no significant increase in the step count was obtained by providing the target value; however, when the patients were divided into two groups based on the median step count at baseline, a significant increase in the step count was observed in the low step-count group. In both the overall population and the low step-count group, there was a significant increase in the target achievement rate in patients who received a pedometer with a target value in comparison to patients who were given a pedometer without a target value. Conclusions: Physical activity may be improved by providing a newly developed individual target step count to COPD patients with a low step count at baseline.