COPD Self-Management for Adults Living in Rural Areas: Systematic Review of Telehealth and Non-Telehealth Interventions

ABSTRACT Background Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is more prevalent in rural areas than in non-rural areas due to factors such as limited access to healthcare; however, no known studies have systematically reviewed evidence related to the impact of self-management interventions on rural adults with COPD. Purpose Systematically review telehealth and non-telehealth self-management interventions delivered to adults with COPD in rural areas. Methods Six electronic databases were searched to identify eleven eligible articles. Results Six studies delivered telehealth interventions, while five delivered non-telehealth interventions. Six interventions (54.5%) reported the use of a behavioral theory, and four (36.4%) employed a randomized control trial (RCT) design. Three studies (n = 2 telehealth; n = 1 non-telehealth) reported significant improvements in self-management efficacy, five (n = 3 telehealth; n = 2 non-telehealth) reported improvements in quality of life, four (n = 1 telehealth; n = 3 non-telehealth) demonstrated improved exercise capacity, and four (n = 2 telehealth; n = 2 non-telehealth) reported improved COPD knowledge. Discussion There is promising evidence that telehealth interventions could be as beneficial as non-telehealth interventions for improving COPD self-management in rural areas. Translation to Health Education Practice: Community-based needs assessments in rural areas may help determine the optimal method of delivery (i.e., telehealth and/or non-telehealth strategies) for local COPD self-management interventions. A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) http://portal.shapeamerica.org/trn-Webinars