Impact of Chair Seat Height on the 1-Minute Sit to Stand Test Performance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Thomas Riegler

Status: Completed

Conditions: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; COPD

Treatments: Other: 1-min STS test: standardized; Other: 1-min STS test: adjusted

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04579055

2020-01677

Details and patient eligibility

About

The 1-minute sit to stand (1-min STS) test is a standardized test which is used to examine exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The chair seat height used is standardized to 46-48 cm. Using a standard seat height for all patients - irrespective of their body height - may lead to invalid estimates of functional exercise capacity. The objective of this study is to assess whether there is a difference in repetitions during the 1-min STS test if the seat height is adjusted to 90° knee joint angle or the standard height chair of 46 cm is used.

Full description

In a single-center, randomized crossover study, the investigators aim to elucidate whether there is a difference in repetitions during the 1-min STS test if the seat height is adjusted to 90° knee joint angle or the standard height chair of 46 cm is used.

Patients with COPD referred for pulmonary rehabilitation will be invited to perform one standardised- (chair seat height 46cm) and one individualized (chair seat height adapted to 90° knee flexion) 1-min STS test on two different days in random order.

The tests will be performed after patients are familiarised with the 1-min STS testing procedure and learning effects can be excluded.

Enrollment: 55 patients

Sex: All

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with diagnosed COPD according to a forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) / forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio below the lower limit of normal

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who are not able to bend their knees while sitting on a standard chair (i.e., knee flexion less than 90°)
• Patients who are not able to understand the instructions of the 1-min STS test, either of language or cognitive reasons
• Patients who are unable to perform the STS test due to functional disability (i.e., being not able to rise from a chair without hand support), previous surgery, or pain according to the judgement of the responsible physician.
• Patients who did not sign the informed consent form

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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55 participants in 2 patient groups

1-min STS test: chair seat height adjusted to 90° knee flexion

Experimental group

Description:

In this experimental condition, the patient performs the 1-minute sit to stand test on an individually adjusted seat height of 90° knee joint flexion.

Treatment:

Other: 1-min STS test: adjusted

1-min STS test: chair seat height standardized of 46cm

Active Comparator group

Description:

In this experimental condition, the patient performs the 1-minute sit to stand test on a standard height chair of 46cm.

Treatment:

Other: 1-min STS test: standardized