Physical Activity Interventions Across Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Copd – A Scoping Review of Methods and Behaviour Change Techniques

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) promotion is a major goal in COPD and frequently implemented during/after pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). However, studies often provide limited detail on the design and delivery of these PA interventions, including the behaviour change techniques (BCTs) used. This scoping review aimed to characterise methodologies and BCTs of community-based PA interventions across PR in people with COPD. Materials and Methods: Studies were searched on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and PsycNET until May 2025. Two reviewers independently screened articles for inclusion and extracted data on intervention methods and identified the BCTs, based on the BCT taxonomy1. Results: Twenty-one studies were included, comprising 17 interventions with 17±11 weeks (PR phase: 8 during, 6 during+after, 2 after, 1 before). Eight interventions aimed at promoting general daily/lifestyle activity, followed by walking, either alone (n=5) or combined with home exercise (n=3). When reported, PA prescription was personalised (n=7), fixed (n=3) or mixed (n=2), with steps being the prescription measure in 9 interventions, alone (n=6) or combined with other measures (n=3). Six studies reported progression criteria, either personalised, fixed or mixed (n=2 each). Devices used included pedometer (n=8), mobile app (n=3) or web-based platform (n=1). Remote supervision was made through phone (n=5) or web (n=1), with 11 studies having none. PA promotion strategies included education, motivational interview and counselling/coaching (n=5 each). The number of BCT/ intervention was 9±4 and the most common were “1.1-Goal setting” (n=14), “2.3-Self-monitoring of behaviour” (n=12), “1.4-Action planning” (n=11), “12.5-Adding objects to the environment” (n=11) and “3.3-Social supp emotional” (n=10). The most common BCT categories “1-Goals and Planning” (n=15), “2-Feedback and monitoring” and “3-Social Support” (n=14 each). Conclusions: Community-based PA interventions for people with COPD are heterogeneous and under-reported, underscoring the need for detailed methodological and BCT description to support replication and future research. 1Michie, S., et al., Ann. Behav. Med., 2013: 46(1): p. 81-95