Journal Article

Supervised pulmonary tele-rehabilitation versus pulmonary rehabilitation in severe COPD: a randomised multicentre trial

Østergaard, Lisbeth Marie, Martinez, Gerd, Wilcke, Jon Torgny, Beyer, Nina, Godtfredsen, Nina Skavlan, Frost Andeassen, Helle, Frølich, Anne, Hansen, Henrik, Kallemose, Thomas, Bieler, Theresa, Lavesen, Marie

2020

Overview

RationalePulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an effective, key standard treatment for people with COPD. Nevertheless, low participant uptake, insufficient attendance and high drop-out rates are reported. Investigation is warranted of the benefits achieved through alternative approaches, such as pulmonary tele-rehabilitation (PTR).ObjectiveTo investigate whether PTR is superior to conventional PR on 6 min walk distance (6MWD) and secondarily on respiratory symptoms, quality of life, physical activity and lower limb muscle function in patients with COPD and FEV1 <50% eligible for routine hospital-based, outpatient PR.MethodsIn this single-blinded, multicentre, superiority randomised controlled trial, patients were assigned 1:1 to 10 weeks of groups-based PTR (60 min, three times weekly) or conventional PR (90 min, two times weekly). Assessments were performed by blinded assessors at baseline, end of intervention and at 22 weeks’ follow-up from baseline. The primary analysis was based on the intention-to-treat principle.Measurements and main resultsThe primary outcome was change in 6MWD from baseline to 10 weeks; 134 participants (74 females, mean±SD age 68±9 years, FEV1 33%±9% predicted, 6MWD 327±103 metres) were included and randomised. The analysis showed no between-group differences for changes in 6MWD after intervention (9.2 metres (95% CI: −6.6 to 24.9)) or at 22 weeks’ follow-up (−5.3 metres (95% CI: −28.9 to 18.3)). More participants completed the PTR intervention (n=57) than conventional PR (n=43) (χ2 test p<0.01).ConclusionPTR was not superior to conventional PR on the 6MWD and we found no differences between groups. As more participants completed PTR, supervised PTR would be relevant to compare with conventional PR in a non-inferiority design.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02667171), 28 January 2016.

• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society,BMJ Publishing Group LTD,BMJ Publishing Group
• Subject: Aged / Anxiety - etiology / Body mass index / Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / Comorbidity / Depression - etiology / Exercise / Female / Forced Expiratory Volume / Hospitals / Humans / Intervention / Male / Middle Aged / Patient Compliance / Patient education / Physical fitness / Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - complications / Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - physiopathology / Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - psychology / Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - rehabilitation / pulmonary rehabilitation / Quality of Life / Questionnaires / Rehabilitation / Rehabilitation - methods / Single-Blind Method / Studies / Symptom Assessment / Telemedicine / Variables / Walk Test / Walking