Author Description

Purpose. To determine the long-term effect of rollator use on health-related quality of life in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and to determine if the short-term effects of rollator use are consistent over time. Methods. 31 subjects were randomized to a rollator (n = 18) or non-rollator (n = 13) group for 8 weeks. Measurements of health-related quality of life via the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ) and the six-minute walk test (6MWT) were performed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. Results. Provision of a rollator did not result in significant changes in the CRQ (p = 0.1). Frequent rollator use (≥3 times a week) resulted in a significant improvement in mastery (p = 0.014). Rollator use during the 6MWT resulted in consistent improvements in distance walked (p = 0.013), number of rests (p < 0.001) and breathlessness (p = 0.004). Conclusions. Provision of a rollator does not result in improvements in health-related quality of life. There was a trend to indicate that frequent use results in long-term benefit.