Article

OBJECTIVES: To (1) evaluate whether the use of a rollator changed metabolic cost
during a controlled walking task, and (2) explore relationships between the
difference in dyspnea and metabolic cost associated with rollator use. DESIGN:
Single-group interventional study in which patients completed 2 corridor walks: 1
without and 1 with a rollator, at the same individualized constant speed.
SETTING: Rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (N=15; 10 men; median age [interquartile range; IQR]=69 [12]y;
forced expiratory volume in 1 second=42 [20]% predicted). INTERVENTION: Rollator
use. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Oxygen uptake, converted to metabolic equivalent
units (METs), and minute ventilation were measured throughout both tasks using a
portable gas analysis system; dyspnea and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO(2))
were collected on completion. RESULTS: Median [IQR] walk speed [IQR] was 48
(10)m/min. Walking with a rollator, compared with walking without, reduced
dyspnea (median [IQR]=1.0 [1.5] vs 2.0 [2.0]; P=.01) without changing energy
expenditure (median [IQR]=2.8 [1.2] vs 3.2 [0.9] METs; P=.65), minute ventilation
(median [IQR]=30.3 [9.6] vs 27.7 [9.9]L/min; P=.50), or SpO(2) (median [IQR]=92
[8]% vs 94 [10]%; P=.41). The association between the reduction in dyspnea and
any difference in energy expenditure related to rollator use was of borderline
significance (r(s)=.50; P=.06). Six of the 8 participants who experienced a
reduction in dyspnea also demonstrated a reduction in the metabolic cost of
walking. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanism responsible for the amelioration in dyspnea
during rollator-assisted walking is multifactorial. A reduction in the metabolic
cost of walking may play a part in some, but not all, patients.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS