ABSTRACT
Introduction: Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are growing problems worldwide. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has proven benefits for patients with CRDs, but programmes need to be adapted to low resource settings, in the context of the recent COVID-19, to home-based delivery. Aim(s): To evaluate the feasibility of delivering home-based PR for patients with CRDs in Malaysia. Method(s): We recruited people with CRD from two hospitals in Klang Valley, Malaysia to home-based PR programme. Patients were provided education sessions, and assessments [functional exercise capacity {6-Minutes walking test (6MWT)}] and [Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) {COPD Assessment Test (CAT)}] were made at centres prior to the start of programme. They performed exercise at least 5 sessions per week for 8 weeks at home and were supervised weekly via phone calls. Post PR, we assessed the attendance and retention rate and measured 6MWT and CAT at centre. Result(s): We recruited 30 patients. The retention rate was 93.3%;2 dropped out due to hospitalization. However, only 11(36.7%) attended post PR assessment at centres, of these 9 (81.8%) had performed all 40 sessions of home exercises. The attendance for post- PR assessment was limited due to COVD-19 restrictions that forbade travel in Malaysia at that time. Data from the 11 patients showed significant change in CAT scores, 5.09;pre: 22.45, post: 17.36(95% confidence interval (CI) 1.48, 8.70, p=0.01) but no significant change in 6MWT distance -24.36;pre: 276.36, post: 300.72(95% CI -80.52,-31.79, p=0.356). Conclusion(s): Home-based PR is feasible and can be a valuable method to deliver PR remotely.