The Effectiveness of Tele-pulmonary Rehabilitation Program on People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) After Hospitalization for Acute Exacerbation

The Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) uses a standard 30-meter indoor hallway protocol (measurement tool) to evaluate functional exercise capacity. The unit of measure is the total distance walked in meters. Scores range from a theoretical minimum of 0 meters to an unlimited maximum based on functional ability; higher values represent a better outcome (greater exercise tolerance).

The Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (Hong Kong Chinese version) (SGRQ-HK) is a disease-specific questionnaire (measurement tool) used to assess health-related quality of life. The unit of measure is the SGRQ total score (expressed as a points from 0 to 100). Scores range from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 100; higher values mean a worse outcome (greater health impairment and lower quality of life).

The Unplanned Hospital Re-admission Rate uses electronic medical record audit logs to evaluate health resource utilization. It is a binary variable that 'Yes' or 'No' are the only options. Unplanned is referring to any unscheduled admissions via Emergency Department, the time frame was within 28 days and within 3 months of the last hospital discharge, the date of the latest hospital discharge is defined as day 0.

The Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale is a self-reported categorical rating scale (measurement tool) assessing the severity of breathlessness during daily activities. The unit of measure is the mMRC grade 0 to 4. Scores range from a minimum grade of 0 (breathless only with strenuous exercise) to a maximum grade of 4 (too breathless to leave the house or breathless when dressing); higher grades mean a worse outcome.

The Dyspnoea-12 (Chinese version) (D-12-C) is a 12-item assessing both physical and affective components of breathlessness. The unit of measure is the D-12-C total score (summed points). Scores range from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 36; higher scores mean a worse outcome (more severe dyspnea symptoms).

The Five-Time Sit-to-Stand test (FTSTS) utilizes a standardized 43-cm chair and stopwatch protocol (measurement tool) to evaluate lower-limb muscle power and functional mobility. The unit of measure is the time taken to complete 5 repetitions, in seconds. Scores range from a lower practical bound of 0 seconds (a maximum cutoff of 60 seconds is applied for non-completion); higher times in seconds mean a worse outcome (slower performance and reduced mobility).

Handgrip Strength is measured using a standardized hydraulic hand dynamometer (JAMAR® Model J00105, Lafayette Instrument Company, United States of America) to assess upper-limb isometric muscle strength. The unit of measure is kilograms of force (kg). Scores range from a minimum of 0 kg to an upper physiological limit; higher values represent a better outcome (greater muscle strength).