Project 460793

Cognitive and physical impairments are common in individuals with chronic lung diseases, including approximately 3 million Canadians living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and about 40,000 living with interstitial lung disease. To date, how cognition limits physical fitness in people with chronic lung disease has rarely been studied. However, the brain is essential to provide coordinated purposeful movements during physical activities. Another consideration is that most activities often require carrying out two or more things at the same time eg. Walking and talking on a cell phone. Cognitive impairment and sensations of breathlessness may limit the ability to do two things at once. A better understanding of the how the brain can limit the physical activity in chronic lung disease will help find novel strategies to improve ability to do physical daily activities. This application is to hold a 2-day virtual meeting, that involves patients, clinicians, researchers, and lung associations to work towards understanding how cognition limits physical activity in chronic lung disease. During the meeting, we will have reports from patients, clinicians and researchers. Goals of the meeting are to: 1) Exchange information; 2) Better understand the needs of patients and the underlying causes of how cognition limits movement and physical activity; 3) Identify clinical strategies to address these issues for patients; 4) Establish novel, cutting-edge research plans to investigate the underlying causes and treatment interventions; 5) disseminate outcomes through publications, on-line media and patient engagement. This meeting will provide a foundation for how to address cognitive-physical interactions by understanding the patients' perspective and through more effective evaluations and treatments. These are especially needed to optimize activities of daily living, to reduce fall risk and to facilitate return to health after acute illnesses and hospitalizations