Lungs in Action (LIA) is a signature program of Lung Foundation Australia and is a community exercise program for people with chronic lung and heart disease. 

To determine the holistic health benefits of participation in LIA through a participant evaluation, concurrently with functional outcome measures over a three-month period. 

A convenience sample of LIA participants completed a health questionnaire (Qualtrics) that incorporated the EQ-5D-5L Health Questionnaire, demographics and structured health and wellbeing questions at baseline. A follow-up health questionnaire was undertaken three months post baseline. 

 

Concurrently, LIA Instructors conducted functional assessments of muscular strength (30sec Sit to Stand (30STS)), mobility, and balance (Timed Up and Go (TUG)) at baseline and 3 months post, to assess physiological adaptations in a participant’s ability to function independently. 

108 LIA participants (60±8 years; F=72) attending LIA consented to complete the baseline questionnaire with n=61 (60±7 years; F=41) completing 3-month post questionnaires. There were significant improvements in EQ-5D-5L anxiety domain (MD±SD; 0.18±0.22; p=0.04) and overall health rating (EQ-VAS) (MD±SD; 5.62±2.72; p=0.02).

74 participants (60±7 years; F=52) who attended an average of 11±6 classes over the three-month interval, completed functional testing at both timepoints. There was a significant decrease in time to complete the TUG (MD±SD; -0.81±1.41 sec; p<0.0001) and increase in repetitions for the 30sSTS (MD±SD; 1.68±2.76 reps; p<0.0001). 

Results indicate an increase in functional capacity, overall health, and a decrease in anxiety over the three-month period. These benefits may relate to improved independence and activities of daily living.

LIA provides a continuum of care, improving patient health outcomes.


Julie Cooke1, Kristal Grainger2, Emma Halloran2, Lissa Spencer3,4, Narelle Cox5,6, Julie Adsett7, Mary Roberts8, Andrew Williams9
 
 

1.     Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia 

2.     Pulmonary Exercise, Lung Foundation Australia, Queensland

3.     Department of Physiotherapy, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney, New South Wales, 

4.     School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 

5.     Respiratory Research@Alfred, Monash University, Victoria, 

6.     Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Victoria, 

7.     Heart Failure Service, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, Queensland, 

8.     Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia

9.     School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia