Characteristics of people with copd using mobile applications

Researchers from the onTRACK project recently published an article entitled “Phenotyping Adopters of Mobile Applications Among Patients With COPD: A Cross-Sectional Study” in the journal Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences.
 
This work aimed to explore whether the demographic, clinical and physical characteristics of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with the use of mobile applications (apps) related to health and physical activity.
 
The results indicate that people with COPD who use mobile apps are younger and have a higher walking speed than those who don’t. Also, people who use physical activity monitoring applications spend more time in sedentary behaviors than those who don’t. These data are useful in the development of physical activity promotion interventions for people with COPD.
 
The OnTRACK project aims to promote physical activity for people with COPD through a mobile application for personalized coaching. This project, funded by the FCT, is led by the Polytechnic of Leiria and has the collaboration of the University of Aveiro (co-promotor) and researchers from the University of McMaster and the Hasselt University.