We were interested in the effects of a physical activity (PA) counselling programme in three groups of COPD patients from general practice (primary care), outpatient clinic (secondary care) and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR).

In this randomized controlled trial 155 COPD patients, 102 males, median (IQR) age 62 (54–69) y, FEV₁predicted 60 (40–75) % were assigned to a 12-weeks' physical activity counselling programme or usual care. Physical activity (pedometer (Yamax SW200) and metabolic equivalents), exercise capacity (6-min walking distance) and quality of life (Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire and Clinical COPD Questionnaire) were assessed at baseline, after three and 15 months.

A significant difference between the counselling and usual care group in daily steps (803 steps, p = 0.001) and daily physical activity (2214 steps + equivalents, p = 0.001)) from 0 to 3 months was found in the total group, as well as in the outpatient (1816 steps, 2616 steps + equivalents, both p = 0.007) and PR (758 steps, 2151 steps + equivalents, both p = 0.03) subgroups. From 0 to 15 months no differences were found in physical activity. However, when patients with baseline physical activity>10,000 steps per day (n = 8), who are already sufficiently active, were excluded, a significant long-term effect of the counselling programme on daily physical activity existed in the total group (p = 0.02). Differences in exercise capacity and quality of life were found only from 0 to 3 months, in the outpatient subgroup.

Our PA counselling programme effectively enhances PA level in COPD patients after three months. Sedentary patients at baseline still benefit after 15 months.

ClinicalTrials.gov: registration number NCT00614796.