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. 2016 May 24:3:31016.
doi: 10.3402/ecrj.v3.31016. eCollection 2016.

Tablet computers to support outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD

Thomas J Ringbaek  1 , Marie Lavesen  2 , Peter Lange  3
Affiliations

Tablet computers to support outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD

Thomas J Ringbaek et al. Eur Clin Respir J. .

Abstract

Background: A minicomputer (tablet) with instructions and a training diary has the potential of facilitating adherence to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR).

Objective: To evaluate the effect of adding a tablet to a classic outpatient PR programme for COPD patients.

Methods: A total of 115 patients participated in a 7- to 10-week outpatient PR programme in groups of 10-12 individuals. Half of the groups were assigned to PR plus a tablet (tablet group) and the other groups were assigned to PR only (controls). Primary effect parameters were endurance shuttle walk time (ESWT) and disease-specific health status (COPD Assessment Test=CAT).

Results: The change in ESWT was significantly better in the control group (mean 167 sec) compared with the tablet group (mean 51 sec) (p<0.01), whereas the change in CAT score did not differ significantly between the two groups (-0.6 vs. -2.3) (p=0.17).

Conclusions: Compared with usual PR, no significant improvements were seen in the group equipped with the tablet after 7-10 weeks of rehabilitation. Future studies should focus on long-term effects.

Keywords: COPD; outcome; pulmonary rehabilitation; quality of life; technology; telemonitoring.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart of patients included in the 7-week pulmonary rehabilitation programme. *All from the tablet group.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Nexus 7 tablet computer.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Changes in self-reported time with unsupervised endurance and strength training at home over time in patients with a tablet (columns are mean values and sticks are standard errors).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Patients’ satisfaction with the table according to a visual analog scale from 0 (very difficult to use) to 10 (very easy to use), N=32 patients.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Answers to whether the tablet has helped (N=31) and could help (N=33) the patient to remain physically active in the future.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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