Effect of Pulmonary Telerehabilitation and Telemonitoring for Patients With Chronic Respiratory Diseases

This feasibility study uses a one group pre-post intervention study. In a subsequent stage, the possibility of conducting a matched (age, gender, diagnosis) case-control study comparing the effects of this study with the current Pulmonary Rehab WRHA program on patients' outcomes will be explored.

Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be invited to an initial assessment session of approximately 1 hour (week 0) at the RespirabilityLab (Riverview Health Centre - 4th floor of the Princess Elizabeth Building). A registered therapist in charge of implementing the intervention will request informed consent to participate in the study, explain specifics of the intervention to each participant, and will conduct an initial assessment. Using the participants' initial assessment and personal characteristics, the therapists will provide personalized recommendations (e.g. maximum heart rate, minimum SpO2), and instruct patients on safety precautions (how to pace themselves, when to seek professional or emergency care).

All will receive training in 1) basic device management (join a Zoom meeting, and apps needed), 2) use of a portable spirometer, pulse oximeter and smartwatch, and their associated apps.

Two groups of 6 patients will complete an 8-week program (2 rounds of 12 participants for a total of 24 participants in total). The exercise program will involve a small group of peers (2 groups/6 participants each) in a Zoom meeting 2 times a week/45 min each (including 5 min before and 10 min after the meeting for free talk-chat between the participants e.g. questions, perceptions, etc.). The RA will organize the Zoom meetings, will resolve general questions (e.g. equipment, platforms, etc.) and will act as a direct point of contact between the therapist and the participants. An education session (~30-45 min) will be offered to all participants (12 at a given time) once a week over the 8 weeks on key topics such as managing smoking cessation, managing shortness of breath, exercising with chronic lung disease, managing fatigue, etc. Patients will be asked to always wear a smartwatch and a pulse oximeter while exercising so that they can control their pace while avoiding exceeding target values (HR, Sp02). After each exercise session, participants will be asked to open apps on their smartphone or tablet linked to the wearable devices via Bluetooth so that the data can be transmitted to the research team (Labfront dashboard) or emailed to the RA (CVS format). Participants will be able to contact the therapist or the RA at any time during the study if they have questions or concerns. Otherwise, the patients will be contacted if abnormal values are identified in the telemonitoring data.

Inclusion criteria

• confirmed diagnosis of COPD or ILD
• living in Manitoba
• Access to smart phone or tablet and home internet service

Exclusion criteria

• acute exacerbation of their condition
• history of neurological disease or mental illness
• inability to ambulate independently without supervision
• inability to complete basic tasks on a smart phone or tablet