MoveyourLungs: Physical activity, pain and the use of analgesics following pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Introduction: In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), physical activity has the potential to decrease mortality and reduce longstanding pain. Still, many patients with COPD are physically inactive.

Objective: This project aims to investigate if the use of analgesics reduce following a pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programme, and to explore how benefits of a PR programme such as increased physical activity level and reduced pain can be maintained in patients with COPD.

Methods: A quantitative study will explore change in the use of analgesics following PR using questionnaires. A qualitative study will explore motivation and barriers for physical activity in patients with COPD, using semi-structured interview guides. A feasibility study will be conducted to explore the feasibility and acceptability of individualized guidance to facilitate enrolment in a social exercise community after PR.

Perspectives: If we are able to help patients with COPD to stay physically active after PR, patients with CPPD will potentially improve their physical capacity and reduce the use of analgesics.

Per Kallestrup is main supervisor with Lars Løkke, Rasmus Østergaard Nielsen and Julie Sandell Jacobsen as co-supervisora.