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The Short-term Effect of a Rollator on Functional Exercise Capacity Among Individuals With Severe COPD^*

^* From the Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science (Ms. Solway) and the Department of Physical Therapy (Dr. Brooks), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; and West Park Healthcare Center (Dr. Goldstein and Mr. Lau), Toronto, ON, Canada.

Correspondence to: Sherra Solway, MSc, BSc (PT), c/o Dr. Dina Brooks, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, 256 McCaul St, Toronto, ON, M5T 1W5, Canada; e-mail: s.solway{at}utoronto.ca

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.

Key Words: COPD • dyspnea • functional exercise capacity • rehabilitation • rollator • walk test

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. B. Gupta, D. Brooks, Y. Lacasse, and R. S. Goldstein Effect of Rollator Use on Health-Related Quality of Life in Individuals With COPD. Chest, October 1, 2006; 130(4): 1089 - 1095. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Troosters, R. Casaburi, R. Gosselink, and M. Decramer Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., July 1, 2005; 172(1): 19 - 38. [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. S. Probst, T. Troosters, I. Coosemans, M. A. Spruit, F. d. O. Pitta, M. Decramer, and R. Gosselink Mechanisms of Improvement in Exercise Capacity Using a Rollator in Patients With COPD Chest, October 1, 2004; 126(4): 1102 - 1107. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]