Long-term Effects of a 3-month Pedometer-based Program to Enhance Physical Activity in Patients With Severe COPD

Patients allocated to the intervention group receive a pedometer. They are encouraged to be more active by using the pedometer to measure the number of steps walked daily. An increase in step count of 15% compared to baseline will be set as the minimal goal for each patient. Monthly telephone calls are indicated to encourage compliance with the protocol and motivate patients to enhance their level of activity. The coached program ends after three months but patients keep their pedometer and are encouraged to sustain an increased level of daily physical activity for additional 9 months (end of study).