Introduction Exercise tests are a keystone in assessing patients for Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR). Behavioural research has suggested that performing an outcome measure may influence the outcome.¹ This has not been explored in respiratory disease in relation to performing an exercise test. Performing an exercise tests could improve confidence and alter subsequent exercise behaviour.

Aim To assess if completing a single incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) increases patients’ confidence in walking at home; managing breathlessness, or completing a shuttle walk test.

Methods Patients attending a PR assessment were asked to score their confidence levels according to the above criteria prior to their first ISWT, and then again following their 1 st ISWT. Patients answered the following questions before and after completing an ISWT with regards to their confidence in the following conditions: 1)Walking at home(Q1), 2)Managing breathlessness(Q2), and 3)Completing the ISWT(Q3). All questions were graded on a VAS scale of 0–10.

Results 90 patients (Mean age- 68.51 years; 48 Males; FEV1- 1.46 L; MRC median- 3) with respiratory disease answered the questions. There were statistically significant differences in confidence pre and post ISWT in all 3 questions (p=0.00). Pre-ISWT the values were (Q1) 5.74, (Q2) 6.25, (Q3) 7.07, the mean changes were: (Q1) +1.51; (Q2) +0.92; (Q3) +1.13 points. No significant changes in distance covered in the second ISWT were noted (21.2 m). There was no correlation between the change in confidence and change in distance covered between the two tests (r²= (Q1) 0.001, (Q2) 0.003, (Q3) 2.50, p≥0.05)

Conclusion Performing the ISWT increased patients’ perceived confidence levels to manage their breathlessness and walking at home. This may have implications when designing clinical trials particularly in the control group where the performance of an ISWT may alter exercise behaviours. Further research is required to investigate the effects of completing outcome measures in clinical trials.

Reference

1. Godin et al. The Effect of mere-measurement of cognitions on physical activity behaviour: A randomised controlled trial among overweight and obese individuals. International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity 2011;8:2.