Pulmonary tele-rehabilitation is effective and safe for people with respiratory conditions

ABSTRACT

Introduction/Aim: Pulmonary tele-rehabilitation (PTR) became a way of providing exercise training and education for people with respiratory conditions during the COVID- 19 pandemic. To determine if PTR was safe, improved exercise capacity, breathlessness and health-related quality of life. Methods: Retrospective observational study. Participants had COPD, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease, asthma or recent lung surgery. As well as access to WIFI and a home device for videoconferencing. Outcomes: five time sitto- stand (5STS), 1 min sit-to-stand (1MinSTS);St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ);COPD assessment test (CAT);Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS);Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnoea scale, number of adverse events. PTR used a zoom platform, ran for 40 min twice per week for 8 weeks, with a maximum of 10 participants in each class. An experienced physiotherapist led the exercise sessions with support from physiotherapy students. Results: Seventy-five people (66 females) commenced PTR [mean (SD) Age 67 (11) years, FEV1 63 (20) % pred] and 52 (70%) completed. Statistically significant improvement (mean change (SD) [95% CI]) for 5STS -4 (7) [-6 to -1] s;1MinSTS 5 (8) [2-9] times;SGRQ total -7 (12) [-11 to -3] points;mMRC -0.3 (0.7) [-0.6 to -0.7] score;CAT -2.4 (6) [-4 to -0.5] score. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: PTR improved exercise capacity, healthrelated quality of life and dyspnoea with no adverse events reported. Outpatient-based PR remains the gold standard;however, PTR could be provided during COVID lockdowns and incorporated as a flexible option for people who find it difficult to attend outpatient-based PR.