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Results for “Randomised Controlled Trial”

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PubMed2005

Effect on the process of care of an active strategy to implement clinical guidelines on physiotherapy for low back pain: a cluster randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect on the process of care of an active strategy to implement clinical guidelines on physiotherapy for low back pain. DESIGN: A cluster randomised controlled trial comparing an active strategy with standard dissemination. SETTING: Primary care physiotherapy practices. PARTICIPANTS: 113 physiotherapists were randomly allocated to receive the guidelines by mail (control group) or to receive an additional active strategy (intervention group) which consisted of a multifaceted programme including education, discussion, role playing, feedback, and reminders. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adherence to the guidelines was measured by means of individual patients' forms recording the treatment completed by the physiotherapist. The forms were assessed using an algorithm based on the number of treatment sessions, treatment goals, interventions, and patient education. RESULTS: Physiotherapists in the intervention group more often correctly limited the number of treatment sessions for patients with a normal course of back pain (OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.12 to 5.12), more often set functional treatment goals (OR 1.99; 95% CI 1.06 to 3.72), more often used mainly active interventions (OR 2.79; 95% CI 1.19 to 6.55), and more often gave adequate patient education (OR 3.59; 95% CI 1.35 to 9.55). They also adhered more to all four criteria (OR 2.05; 95% CI 1.15 to 3.65). CONCLUSIONS: The active strategy moderately improved adherence to the guidelines. Active strategies are recommended to implement the clinical guidelines on physiotherapy for low back pain.

Evidence-Based Medicine↗

PubMed1976

A randomised controlled trial of an oral solution of prostaglandin E2 and oral oxytocin used immediately after low amniotomy for induction of labour in the presence of a favourable cervix.

A randomised controlled trial was carried out in 50 primigravidae and 50 multigravidae to compare the effectiveness in induction of labour after low amniotomy of prostaglandin E2, given as an oral solution, and oxytocin, given as buccal tablets. The results showed that in dosages recommended by the manufacturers, both oxytocic preparations were almost equally effective. With oral oxytocin, once labour had been established and dosage was left to the discretion of the staff, there appeared to be a potentially dangerous tendency to continue giving large doses despite adequate uterine contractions. The authors comment that this was probably the reason why oxytocin-treated multigravidae having normal deliveries within 24 hours had labours significantly shorter on average than those of other successfully induced patients.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2005

Home management of mild to moderately severe community-acquired pneumonia: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether community management of mild to moderate community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is as effective and acceptable as standard hospital management of CAP. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Christchurch, New Zealand, primary and secondary care. PARTICIPANTS: 55 patients presenting or referred to the emergency department at Christchurch Hospital with mild to moderately severe pneumonia, assessed using a validated pneumonia severity assessment score, from July 2002 to October 2003. INTERVENTIONS: Hospital treatment as usual or comprehensive care in the home delivered by primary care teams. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary: days to discharge, days on intravenous (IV) antibiotics, patient-rated symptom scores. Secondary: health status measured using level of functioning at 2 and 6 weeks, patient satisfaction. RESULTS: The median number of days to discharge was higher in the home care group (4 days; range, 1-14) than in the hospital groups (2 days; range, 0-10; P = 0.004). There was no difference in the number of days on IV antibiotics or on subsequent oral antibiotics. Patient-rated symptom scores at 2 and 6 weeks, median change in symptom severity from baseline to 6 weeks, and general functioning at 2 and 6 weeks did not differ between the groups. Patients in both groups were satisfied with their treatment, with a clear preference for community treatment (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Mild to moderately severe CAP can be managed effectively in the community by primary care teams. This model of comprehensive care at home can be implemented by primary care teams with suitable funding structures.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2002

[Systematic review of randomised controlled trial of iodised salt for preventing iodine deficiency disorders].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of iodised salt for preventing iodine deficiency disorders. METHOD: Cochrane systematic review. RESULTS: Four randomised controlled trials were included. Subgroup analysis performed lay on different ages, interventions and controls. Prevalence of goitre was reduced close to 5% when using distributed iodised salt and market iodised salt plus iodine oil capsule which showed more effective than using market iodised salt alone (OR = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.02 - 0.17). The latter's prevalence of goitre was 14.7%. When using market iodised salt, the iodine urea excretion level showed different results in children group in different countries. Basically, the market iodised salt for preventing iodine deficiency of pregnancy women were effective, but a part of them did not achieve to the ideal status of iodine nutrition. CONCLUSIONS: The needs to be strictly controlled quality of iodised salt and market iodised salt plus iodised oil capsule thus can effectively reduce the prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders. However there was not enough evidence to support that market iodised salt can effectively eliminate these disorders, particularly in children. More eligibility trials are needed for providing more evidences.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry in unselected and low risk pregnancies: a review of randomised controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: Meta-analysis of data from controlled trials performed in populations at high risk have shown that umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry (umbilical Doppler) can reduce perinatal mortality. The individual published trials among unselected or low risk populations have found no beneficial effect. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of routine use of the umbilical Doppler in unselected or low risk pregnancies by reviewing all published and unpublished randomised controlled trials. STUDY DESIGN: Systematically reviewing published and unpublished trials, we selected trials for the overview only if they were completed randomised trials of umbilical Doppler in unselected or low risk pregnancies. Of the seven trials examined, three were not included in the meta-analysis because of methodological problems or because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. We therefore included four trials: two in unselected and two in low risk populations. These four groups were comparable in their degree of maternal and perinatal risk. Using the Mantel-Haenzel statistical method and pooling the data, we considered 11,375 women in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Systematic use of the Doppler umbilical artery velocimetry had no statistically significant effect on perinatal deaths in unselected populations (odds ratio [OR] 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61-2.67), low risk populations (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.20-1.29) or overall for the four trials (OR 0.90; 95% CI 0.50-1.60); nor was there any significant effect on stillbirths (global OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.42-1.98). However, the number of participants remain insufficient and further information is required to arrive at a definite conclusion on the absence of effect. The meta-analysis showed no significant difference between the Doppler groups and the control groups for antenatal hospitalisation, obstetric outcome or perinatal morbidity. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the published trials, routine use of the umbilical Doppler cannot be recommended.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

PubMed2003

Aberdeen Colles' fracture brace as a treatment for Colles' fracture. A multicentre, prospective, randomised, controlled trial.

We carried out a randomised, prospective, multicentre clinical trial of the treatment of Colles' fractures. A total of 339 patients was placed into two groups, those with minimally displaced fractures not requiring manipulation (151 patients) and those with displaced fractures which needed manipulation (188 patients). Treatment was by either a conventional Colles' plaster cast (a control group) or with a prefabricated functional brace (the Aberdeen Colles' fracture brace). Similar results were obtained in both groups with regard to the reduction and to pain scores but the brace provided better grip strength in the early stages of treatment. This was statistically significant after five weeks for both manipulated and non-manipulated fractures. At the tenth day the results were statistically significant only in manipulated fractures. There was no significant difference in the functional outcome between the two treatment groups. However, younger patients and those with less initial displacement had better functional results.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Detailed postal feedback about prescribing to asthma patients combined with a guideline statement showed no impact: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of postal feedback with clinically relevant data on general practitioners' prescribing compared with feedback with aggregate data on prescribing patterns of asthma drugs. METHODS: The study was a randomised, controlled trial. The general practitioners (GPs) in the County of Funen, Denmark (292 GPs representing 178 practices) were randomised to one of three groups receiving different forms of prescriber feedback. The first group received detailed and clinically relevant data on asthma drug prescribing patterns and a guideline statement. These data included tables with counts of asthma patients following classification of each individual's consumption of inhaled beta2-agonists and use of inhaled steroids. The second group received aggregate data on asthma drug prescribing patterns and a guideline statement, and the third group received feedback on an unrelated subject and served as control for the other groups. Each GP received prescriber feedback three times within a 6-month period. The last two letters with prescriber feedback had updated information with the purpose of showing changes in prescribing patterns. Effects were followed for a period of 1 year. The main outcome measures were change in fraction of asthmatics treated with inhaled steroids and incidence rate of treatment with inhaled steroids. RESULTS: The three groups had similar baseline characteristics. None of the two types of feedback on prescribing of asthma drugs had a statistically significant impact on GPs' prescribing patterns. CONCLUSION: Mailed prescriber feedback of detailed and clinically relevant data with a guideline statement, without revealing patient identities, has little or no impact on prescribing patterns.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Cost-effectiveness of an intensive group training protocol compared to physiotherapy guideline care for sub-acute and chronic low back pain: design of a randomised controlled trial with an economic evaluation. [ISRCTN45641649].

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is a common disorder in western industrialised countries and the type of treatments for low back pain vary considerably. METHODS: In a randomised controlled trial the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of an intensive group training protocol versus physiotherapy guideline care for sub-acute and chronic low back pain patients is evaluated. Patients with back pain for longer than 6 weeks who are referred to physiotherapy care by their general practitioner or medical specialist are included in the study. The intensive group training protocol combines exercise therapy with principles of behavioural therapy ("graded activity") and back school. This training protocol is compared to physiotherapy care according to the recently published Low Back Pain Guidelines of the Royal Dutch College for Physiotherapy. Primary outcome measures are general improvement, pain intensity, functional status, work absenteeism and quality of life. The direct and indirect costs will be assessed using cost diaries. Patients will complete questionnaires at baseline and 6, 13, 26 and 52 weeks after randomisation. DISCUSSION: No trials are yet available that have evaluated the effect of an intensive group training protocol including behavioural principles and back school in a primary physiotherapy care setting and no data on cost-effectiveness and cost-utility are available.

Absenteeism↗

PubMed2003

Randomised controlled trial of hip protectors for the prevention of second hip fractures.

OBJECTIVE: to assess whether the use of Safehip hip protectors would prevent second hip fractures among men and women living in the community. DESIGN: pragmatic randomised controlled trial. SETTING: people living in the community. PARTICIPANTS: men and women aged 70 years and over who had sustained one hip fracture and who were living in the community. RESULTS: 366 men and women who were either living outside residential care or were about to be discharged back home were randomised to receive three pairs of hip protectors or to act as controls. Approximately 34% of participants allocated to receive hip protectors wore them every day. After a median follow up of 14 months 8 participants had a second hip fracture with 6 in the intervention and 2 in the control group (Odds Ratio for second hip fracture=3.10, 95% confidence interval 0.62-15.58). Hip protectors had no effect on risk of other fractures or on falls. CONCLUSION: this trial does not suggest a benefit of the studied hip protector among people living outside residential accommodation.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed2004

Randomised controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of TachoComb H patches in controlling PTFE suture-hole bleeding.

OBJECTIVE: Suture-hole bleeding is a considerable problem in vascular procedures using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts. This study aimed to study the efficacy of TachoComb H patches in controlling suture-hole bleeding. DESIGN: Prospective randomised controlled trial. Materials and methods. Patients undergoing femoral anastomosis and femoral or carotid patch angioplasty with PTFE grafts were prospectively randomised to TachoComb H patches or standard compression with surgical swabs. RESULTS: Twenty four patients were randomised (12 patients in each treatment group). The median time to haemostasis was 300 (range 180-600)s in patients treated with TachoComb H and 660 (range 180-1200)s in the control group. The log rank test of equality over treatments based on the 22 patients with assessment of time to haemostasis showed statistical significance (p=0.0134). There were no serious complications associated with use of TachoComb H patches. CONCLUSION: TachoComb H patches were found to be safe and effective for the control of suture-hole bleeding in patients undergoing vascular reconstruction with PTFE grafts.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Randomised controlled trial of nurse practitioner versus general practitioner care for patients requesting "same day" consultations in primary care.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain any differences between care from nurse practitioners and that from general practitioners for patients seeking "same day" consultations in primary care. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial with patients allocated by one of two randomisation schemes (by day or within day). SETTING: 10 general practices in south Wales and south west England. SUBJECTS: 1368 patients requesting same day consultations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient satisfaction, resolution of symptoms and concerns, care provided (prescriptions, investigations, referrals, recall, and length of consultation), information provided to patients, and patients' intentions for seeking care in the future. RESULTS: Generally patients consulting nurse practitioners were significantly more satisfied with their care, although for adults this difference was not observed in all practices. For children, the mean difference between general and nurse practitioner in percentage satisfaction score was -4.8 (95% confidence interval -6.8 to -2.8), and for adults the differences ranged from -8.8 (-13.6 to -3.9) to 3.8 (-3.3 to 10.8) across the practices. Resolution of symptoms and concerns did not differ between the two groups (odds ratio 1.2 (95% confidence interval 0.8 to 1.8) for symptoms and 1.03 (0.8 to 1.4) for concerns). The number of prescriptions issued, investigations ordered, referrals to secondary care, and reattendances were similar between the two groups. However, patients managed by nurse practitioners reported receiving significantly more information about their illnesses and, in all but one practice, their consultations were significantly longer. CONCLUSION: This study supports the wider acceptance of the role of nurse practitioners in providing care to patients requesting same day consultations.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2005

Randomised controlled trial to compare surgical stabilisation of the lumbar spine with an intensive rehabilitation programme for patients with chronic low back pain: the MRC spine stabilisation trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical effectiveness of surgical stabilisation (spinal fusion) compared with intensive rehabilitation for patients with chronic low back pain. DESIGN: Multicentre randomised controlled trial. SETTING: 15 secondary care orthopaedic and rehabilitation centres across the United Kingdom. PARTICIPANTS: 349 participants aged 18-55 with chronic low back pain of at least one year's duration who were considered candidates for spinal fusion. INTERVENTION: Lumbar spine fusion or an intensive rehabilitation programme based on principles of cognitive behaviour therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcomes were the Oswestry disability index and the shuttle walking test measured at baseline and two years after randomisation. The SF-36 instrument was used as a secondary outcome measure. RESULTS: 176 participants were assigned to surgery and 173 to rehabilitation. 284 (81%) provided follow-up data at 24 months. The mean Oswestry disability index changed favourably from 46.5 (SD 14.6) to 34.0 (SD 21.1) in the surgery group and from 44.8 (SD14.8) to 36.1 (SD 20.6) in the rehabilitation group. The estimated mean difference between the groups was -4.1 (95% confidence interval -8.1 to -0.1, P = 0.045) in favour of surgery. No significant differences between the treatment groups were observed in the shuttle walking test or any of the other outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: Both groups reported reductions in disability during two years of follow-up, possibly unrelated to the interventions. The statistical difference between treatment groups in one of the two primary outcome measures was marginal and only just reached the predefined minimal clinical difference, and the potential risk and additional cost of surgery also need to be considered. No clear evidence emerged that primary spinal fusion surgery was any more beneficial than intensive rehabilitation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Effect of educational outreach to nurses on tuberculosis case detection and primary care of respiratory illness: pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and implement an educational outreach programme for the integrated case management of priority respiratory diseases (practical approach to lung health in South Africa; PALSA) and to evaluate its effects on respiratory care and detection of tuberculosis among adults attending primary care clinics. DESIGN: Pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial, with clinics as the unit of randomisation. SETTING: 40 primary care clinics, staffed by nurse practitioners, in the Free State province, South Africa. PARTICIPANTS: 1999 patients aged 15 or over with cough or difficult breathing (1000 in intervention clinics, 999 in control clinics). INTERVENTION: Between two and six educational outreach sessions delivered to nurse practitioners by usual trainers from the health department. The emphasis was on key messages drawn from the customised clinical practice guideline for the outreach programme, with illustrative support materials. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sputum screening for tuberculosis, tuberculosis case detection, inhaled corticosteroid prescriptions for obstructive lung disease, and antibiotic prescriptions for respiratory tract infections. RESULTS: All clinics and almost all patients (92.8%, 1856/1999) completed the trial. Although sputum testing for tuberculosis was similar between the groups (22.6% in outreach group v 19.3% in control group; odds ratio 1.22, 95% confidence interval 0.83 to 1.80), the case detection of tuberculosis was higher in the outreach group (6.4% v 3.8%; 1.72, 1.04 to 2.85). Prescriptions for inhaled corticosteroids were also higher (13.7% v 7.7%; 1.90, 1.14 to 3.18) but the number of antibiotic prescriptions was similar (39.7% v 39.4%; 1.01, 0.74 to 1.38). CONCLUSIONS: Combining educational outreach with integrated case management provides a promising model for improving quality of care and control of priority respiratory diseases, without extra staff, in resource poor settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current controlled trials ISRCTN13438073.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Tamoxifen in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: 5-year results of the CLIP-1 multicentre randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In 1998, when data of a meta-analysis on tamoxifen in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) had suggested a little advantage for this treatment, we published the results of a multicenter randomised controlled trial, that showed no survival benefit for tamoxifen vs. control. Here we report an updated analysis of the study results 4.5 years after the closure of enrollment. METHODS: The study had a planned sample size of 480 patients. Patients with any stage HCC were eligible, irrespective of locoregional treatment. Tamoxifen was given orally, 40 mg/die, from randomisation until death. RESULTS: 496 patients were randomised by 30 Institutions from January 1995 to January 1997. Information was available for 477 patients. As of July 2001, 374 deaths (78%) were recorded, and median survival times were 16 and 15 months (p=0.54), in the control and tamoxifen arm. Data were further analysed separately for advanced patients and for those eligible to potentially curative locoregional treatments: relative hazard of death for patients receiving tamoxifen was equal to 0.98 (95% CI 0.76-1.25) for the former group and 1.38 (95% CI 0.95-2.01) for the latter. The prognostic score recently devised by our group (CLIP score) was, as expected, strictly correlated (p<0.0001) to the locoregional treatment received and strongly correlated with prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: the update of the present study confirms that tamoxifen is not effective in prolonging survivals, both in advanced patients and in those potentially curable and that the CLIP score is able to predict prognosis.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

PubMed1999

Randomised controlled trial of exercise for low back pain: clinical outcomes, costs, and preferences.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effectiveness of an exercise programme in a community setting for patients with low back pain to encourage a return to normal activities. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial of progressive exercise programme compared with usual primary care management. Patients' preferences for type of management were elicited independently of randomisation. PARTICIPANTS: 187 patients aged 18-60 years with mechanical low back pain of 4 weeks to 6 months' duration. INTERVENTIONS: Exercise classes led by a physiotherapist that included strengthening exercises for all main muscle groups, stretching exercises, relaxation session, and brief education on back care. A cognitive-behavioural approach was used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessments of debilitating effects of back pain before and after intervention and at 6 months and 1 year later. Measures included Roland disability questionnaire, Aberdeen back pain scale, pain diaries, and use of healthcare services. RESULTS: At 6 weeks after randomisation, the intervention group improved marginally more than the control group on the disability questionnaire and reported less distressing pain. At 6 months and 1 year, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvement in the disability questionnaire score (mean difference in changes 1.35, 95% confidence interval 0.13 to 2.57). At 1 year, the intervention group also showed significantly greater improvement in the Aberdeen back pain scale (4.44, 1.01 to 7.87) and reported only 378 days off work compared with 607 in the control group. The intervention group used fewer healthcare resources. Outcome was not influenced by patients' preferences. CONCLUSIONS: The exercise class was more clinically effective than traditional general practitioner management, regardless of patient preference, and was cost effective.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Safety and efficacy of using the LigaSure vessel sealing system for securing the pedicles in vaginal hysterectomy: randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of using the LigaSure vessel sealing system for securing the pedicles during vaginal hysterectomy in comparison with the conventional method of securing the pedicles by suture ligation. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Gynaecology Department, Benenden Hospital, Kent. POPULATION: One hundred and sixteen women undergoing vaginal hysterectomy were prospectively randomised to either LigaSure (Group I) or suture ligation (Group II) for securing the pedicles. METHODS: Data of patients were collected prospectively. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test, chi(2) and Fisher's exact test as appropriate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Operating time, operative blood loss and peri-operative complications. RESULTS: The operating time was significantly shorter in the LigaSure group compared with the control group (P < 0.04). There was no statistical significant difference between the two groups in operative blood loss (P= 0.433), but peri-operative haemorrhagic complications were less frequent in the LigaSure group (0%vs 6.8%, P= 0.057). Four patients in the control group required either conversion to laparotomy because of bleeding, return to theatre for immediate post-operative haemorrhage or readmission for vault haematoma, whereas none in the LigaSure group had bleeding from unsecured pedicles. CONCLUSION: The LigaSure vessel sealing system is a safe alternative for securing pedicles in vaginal hysterectomy when compared with conventional suture ligation. Larger studies are required to determine its place in gynaecological surgery.

Blood Loss, Surgical↗

PubMed2002

Randomised controlled trial of reflexology for menopausal symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical experience suggests that reflexology may have beneficial effects on the symptoms occurring in menopausal women, particularly psychological symptoms. This study aims to examine that effect rigorously. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial with two parallel arms. SETTING: School of Complementary Health in Exeter, Devon, UK. SAMPLE: Seventy-six women, aged between 45 and 60 years, reporting menopausal symptoms. METHODS: Women were randomised to receive nine sessions of either reflexology or nonspecific foot massage (control) by four qualified reflexologists given over a period of 19 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Women's Health Questionnaire (WHQ), the primary measures being the subscores for anxiety and depression. Severity (visual analogue scale, VAS) and frequency of flushes and night sweats. RESULTS: Mean (SD) scores for anxiety fell from 0.43 (0.29) to 0.22 (0.25) in the reflexology group and from 0.37 (0.27) to 0.27 (0.29) in the control group over the course of treatment. Mean (SD) scores for depression fell from 0.37 (0.25) to 0.20 (0.24) in the reflexology group and from 0.36 (0.23) to 0.20 (0.21) in the control (foot massage) group over the same period. For both scores there was strong evidence of a time effect (P < 0.001) but no evidence of a time-group interaction (P > 0.2). Similar changes were found for severity of hot flushes and night sweats. In the control group, 14/37 believed they had not received true reflexology. CONCLUSION: Foot reflexology was not shown to be more effective than non-specific foot massage in the treatment of psychological symptoms occurring during the menopause.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

How long should outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation be? A randomised controlled trial of 4 weeks versus 7 weeks.

BACKGROUND: The evidence of benefit for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programmes is established. However, the optimal duration of a PR programme is not known. A randomised controlled trial was undertaken in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to assess whether a 4 week PR programme was equivalent to our conventional 7 week PR programme at equivalent time points of 7 weeks and 6 months. METHODS: One hundred patients (56 men) with stable COPD of mean (SD) age 70 (8) years and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) 1.13 (0.50) litres were randomised to either a 7 week (n = 50) or 4 week (n = 50) supervised PR programme. Patients were assessed at baseline, at completion of the supervised PR programme, and 6 months later. Patients randomised to the 4 week group were also assessed at the 7 week time point. Outcome measures were the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test, Endurance Shuttle Walk Test (ESWT), Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire-Self Reported, and the Breathing Problems Questionnaire. RESULTS: Forty one patients in each group completed the PR programme. Patients made significant within group improvements after supervised rehabilitation. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups for any other measure at the 7 week or 6 month time points, except that patients in the 4 week group attained higher ESWT times (mean difference 124 seconds (95% CI 17.00 to 232.16), p = 0.024) at the 7 week time point. CONCLUSIONS: A shortened 4 week supervised PR programme is equivalent to a 7 week supervised PR programme at the comparable time points of 7 weeks and 6 months.

Aged↗