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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2020 Apr 21;22(4):e17089.
doi: 10.2196/17089.

Evaluating an Intervention Program Using WeChat for Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Randomized Controlled Trial

Yuyu Jiang  1 , Fenglan Liu  1 , Jianlan Guo  1 , Pingping Sun  1 , Zhongyi Chen  1 , Jinping Li  2 , Liming Cai  3 , Hongqing Zhao  4 , Ping Gao  5 , Zhaosheng Ding  6 , Xiaoliang Wu  7
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Evaluating an Intervention Program Using WeChat for Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Randomized Controlled Trial

Yuyu Jiang et al. J Med Internet Res. .

Abstract

Background: The application of telemedicine in home pulmonary rehabilitation interventions for the management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has achieved promising results.

Objective: This study aimed to develop a WeChat official account (Pulmonary Internet Explorer Rehabilitation [PeR]) based on social media. It further evaluated the effect of PeR on the quality of life, symptoms, and exercise self-efficacy of patients with COPD.

Methods: The functional modules of PeR were developed by a multidisciplinary team according to the electronic health-enhanced chronic care model (eCCM) components. A total of 106 patients were randomly selected (53 in the PeR group and 53 in the outpatient face-to-face group [FtF]). Pulmonary rehabilitation intervention was conducted for 3 months, and the outcome was observed for 3 months. The primary outcome was patient quality of life measured with the COPD assessment test (CAT). The secondary outcomes were evaluated using the modified Medical Research Council scale (mMRC), exercise self-regulatory efficacy scale (Ex-SRES), and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ).

Results: The intention-to-treat analysis was used in the study. A total of 94 participants completed the 6-month pulmonary rehabilitation program. No statistically significant differences were observed in CAT (F1,3=7.78, P=.001), Ex-SRES (F1,3=21.91, P<.001), and mMRC scores (F1,3=29.64, P<.001) between the two groups with the variation in time tendency. The Ex-SRES score had a significant effect on the CAT score (P=.03). The partial regression coefficient of Ex-SRES to CAT was 0.81, and Exp (B) was 2.24.

Conclusions: The telemedicine technology was effective using the eCCM combined with a behavioral intervention strategy centering on self-efficacy. Pulmonary rehabilitation at home through PeR and FtF could improve the sense of self-efficacy and quality of life and alleviate symptoms in patients with COPD.

Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900022770; https://tinyurl.com/tmmvpq3.

Keywords: WeChat; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; randomized controlled trial; self-efficacy; telemedicine; the eHealth enhanced chronic care model.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Functional modules of Pulmonary Internet Explorer Rehabilitation on the WeChat terminal.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Patient log-in process.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials flowchart.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test score and its change over time.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Exercise self-regulatory efficacy scale score and its change over time.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Modified Medical Research Council scale score and its change over time.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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