{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.028420356906807668, 'fraction_numerical': 0.005948446794448116, 'mean_word_length': 4.628252788104089, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Using Step Count to Enhance Daily Physical Activity in PH, a pilot-study (STEP in PH)

A reduced capacity to perform daily activities is very common in Pulmonary Hypertension (PH). Our aim was to evaluate if the intensity of physical activity could be increased with a training protocol based on encouraged step count in a group of PH patients. We used a wrist-worn accelerometer (Actigraph GT9X Link), which recorded data about mean intensity of the physical activity measured in activity counts per minute (ACpM), number of steps and time of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). During a running period actigraphy data were recorded with no step count displayed to patients. The patients were then randomised into two groups. In the intervention group the step count was displayed and over 8 weeks they were given a daily step goal, based on the count from the previous week. In the control group the step count remained switched off and the patients crossed over to intervention after 8 weeks. The 6MWD, short form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire score, BNP serum levels, WHO-FC were recorded at the baseline and at the end of the intervention. We enrolled 20 patients. As shown in table 1, we observed a significant increase in steps post intervention, however no increase in ACpM or MVPA. The control group show no difference in steps, ACpM or MVPA. We have shown that we can increase step count using a weekly target, but this does not increase total activity or moderate-to-vigorous activity.