Following are the key research articles on TeleRehabilitation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients. This form of Online Home Treatment seems to work towards reduction of dyspnea, fatigue, exacerbations, and improved functional capacity of the persons affected by COPD.
1. Research Article: In-home Telerehabilitation for Older Persons with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Pilot Study
Author, Publication, Date: Michel Tousignant, Nicole Marquis and others, International Journal of Telerehabilitation, Spring 2012
Abstract: The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the efficacy of in-home telerehabilitation for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Three community-living elders with COPD were recruited in a rehabilitation outpatient group and by direct referrals from pneumologists with outpatients who have COPD. A pre/post-test design without a control group was used for this pilot study. Telerehabilitation sessions (15 sessions) were conducted by two trained physio¬therapists from a service center to the patient’s home. Locomotor function (walking performance) and quality of life were measured in person prior to and at the end of the treatment by an independent assessor. Clinical outcomes improved for all subjects except for locomotor function in the first participant. In-home telerehabilitation for people with COPD is a realistic alternative to dispense rehabilitation services for patients requiring physical therapy follow-up.
Link: https://telerehab.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/Telerehab/article/view/6083
2. Research Article: Telerehabilitation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: An Underrecognized Management in Tertiary Care
Author, Publication, Date: Kalyana Chakravarthy Bairapareddy, Baskaran Chandrasekaran,1 and Umang Agarwal, Indian J Palliat Care. 2018 Oct-Dec
Abstract: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is proved to be best supportive management in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) individuals. The literature claims the reduction of dyspnea, fatigue, exacerbations, and improved functional capacity and quality of life. Home-based PR is being prescribed widely than hospital-based rehab due to be less cost and ease of caregiver burden, but efficacy is usually questioned. The poor efficacy may be probably due to recurrent exacerbation and poor quality of life even after years of home rehabilitation. Telerehabilitation is an excellent rehab measure where the COPD patients exercise at his home, while expertise from the tertiary care centers monitors the rehab sessions remotely. In India, the tele-PR is at its budding state. This review shall enable the readers with the basics of telerehabilitation in comparison with the other available rehab measures and evidence in the management of COPD.
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6199829/
3. Research Article: Home-based and remote exercise testing in chronic respiratory disease, during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: a rapid review
Author, Publication, Date: Annie E Holland, Carla Malaguti and others, medRxiv, July 16, 2020
Objectives: To identify exercise tests that are suitable for home-based or remote administration in people with chronic lung disease. Methods: Rapid review of studies that reported home-based or remote administration of an exercise test in people with chronic lung disease, and studies reporting their clinimetric properties. Results: 84 studies were included. Tests used at home were the 6-minute walk test (6MWT, 2 studies), sit-to-stand tests (STS, 5 studies), Timed Up and Go (TUG, 4 studies) and step tests (2 studies). Exercise tests administered remotely were the 6MWT (2 studies) and step test (1 study). Compared to centre-based testing the 6MWT distance was similar when performed outdoors but shorter when performed at home (2 studies). The STS, TUG and step tests were feasible, reliable (intra-class correlation coefficients >0.80), valid (concurrent and known groups validity) and moderately responsive to pulmonary rehabilitation (medium effect sizes). These tests elicited less desaturation than the 6MWT, and validated methods to prescribe exercise were not reported. Discussion: The STS, step and TUG tests can be performed at home, but do not accurately document desaturation with walking or allow exercise prescription. Patients at risk of desaturation should be prioritised for centre-based exercise testing when this is available.
Link: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.07.15.20154930v1
