Is pulmonary tele rehabilitation effective and safe for people with respiratory conditions?

ABSTRACT

Background: COVID-19 caused the temporary suspnsion of outpatient-based pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Pulmonary telerehabilitation (PTR) became a way of providing exercise training and education for people with respiratory conditions. Aim(s) To determine if PTR was safe and effective for people with respiratory conditions. Method(s) Retrospective observational study. Participants who were referred to PR, had a range of respiratory conditions, had access to Wi-Fi and a home device for videoconferencing. Outcomes were five time sit-to-stand test (5STS), one minute sit-to-stand test (1MinSTS);St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ);COPD assessment test (CAT);Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS);Modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale (mMRC), adverse events. PTR used a zoom platform, ran for 40 minutes, twice per week for eight weeks, with a maximum of 10 participants in each class. An experienced physiotherapist led the exercise and education sessions with support from physiotherapy students. Result(s) Seventy-five participants (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] seconds;1MinSTS 5 (8) [2 to 9] repetitions;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 with no adverse events were reported. Conclusion(s) Outpatient-based PR remains the gold standard, however PTR could be provided during COVID lockdowns or incorporated into PR programs as a flexible option for people who find it difficult to attend outpatientbased programs.