Technical and clinical feasibility of a pulmonary telerehabilitation model for people with COPD.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate (1) the technical feasibility of transmitting data from devices connected to an application used for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, (2) the clinical feasibility of a home-based PR (HBPR) program using an application integrating essential components of PR, and (3) exploratory clinical outcomes. (NCT05314686).

Design: Prospective two-phase feasibility study.

Setting: Single-center HBPR program.

Participants: Twenty participants were included in Phase 1 and 20 in Phase 2.

Interventions: Phase 1 assessed technical feasibility during endurance sessions using a pulse oximeter and a physical activity tracker connected to the application. Phase 2 assessed clinical feasibility of an 8-week HBPR program.

Main outcome measures: Technical feasibility was assessed using the percentage of clinical agreement between locally stored and transmitted data. Clinical feasibility included retention, satisfaction, and usability. Exploratory clinical outcomes were assessed before and after the program.

Results: Locally stored data and those transmitted throughout the application were similar for heart rate, transcutaneous oxygen saturation, and daily step count with a percentage of clinical agreement of at least 99%. Nineteen participants (95%) completed HBPR with high level of satisfaction (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 (median 30, IQR 25 to 32)), and usability (System usability scale (median 80.0, IQR 62.5 to 100.0)). Endurance time during the constant work-rate exercise test increased following HBPR (median of paired differences 171.00 seconds, 95% CI 17.00 to 725.00).

Conclusions: Devices connected to the application can monitor patients accurately while delivering PR. The HBPR program was feasible and highly accepted by patients and their family members. Future randomized controlled studies are needed to further assess its clinical efficacy.