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Table 1 Characteristics of included studies

From: Is telerehabilitation an effective maintenance strategy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases: a systematic review

Study

Participants and demographics

Sample size

Intervention

Comparison

Outcome/measures

Author/date Galdiz et al. (2020)

Design and duration 12-month RCT

Country Spain

Population clinically stable patients diagnosed with moderate or severe COPD

Age 18–75 years (average 63 years)

Gender male and females

Groups 2 (IG & CG)

Total 94 participants

IG 46

CG 48

PR programme (8-weeks ± 4 days)

 Both groups (CG & IG) received a hospital out-patient PR programme 3x/7 with the session lasting approximately 2 h

 30 min of arm weight lifting (1/2 kg and progressing) and 30 min bicycle ergometry, chest physiotherapy as indicated educational sessions targeted at the patients and family members or caregivers about self-management strategies, diet and diseases pathology)

TR programme (12-months)

 Provision of a TR kit consisting of mobile phone, pulse oximeter, dumbells and bicycle ergometer. Communication is via a web-based platform with therapists monitoring vital signs and PA activity levels being input by patients

 Access to a system technician

 Individualised action plan with exercises similar to the PR programme and based on patient capacity

 Usual care following clinical practice at the participating hospitals

 Patients were advised to at least 1 h per day

Exercise capacity

 6MWT

QoL

 CAT

 CRQ

Author/date Vasilopoulou et al. (2017)

Design and duration 12-month RCT

Country Greece

Population clinically stable patients with moderate to severe COPD attending the out-patient clinic

Age average age 67

Gender male and female

Groups 3

Total 150

IG 47

CG 50

UC 50

PR Programme (2 months)

 All groups (IG, CG & UC) received went through

 Supervised exercise training 3/7 days

 Cycling using the bicycle ergometer, resistance training for the upper and lower limbs, dietary advice, self-management techniques

IG-TR Programme (12 months)

 Lenovo tablet, a wireless device measuring lung function (spirometry), pedometer, a video demonstrating exercises are installed on the tablet

 Tablet also has breathing techniques and educational leaflets on COPD, anxiety and depression

 Participants record vital signs on the web platform via the tab

 Upper and lower limb exercises, walking drills with exercises based on patient capacity

 The patients have access to a call centre (pulmonologist) in case of severe complications

CG—Hospital-based maintenance rehabilitation programme (12-months)

 Aerobic and resistance exercise 2/7 days similar to that of the PR programme. Consisted of 96 sessions performed

UC

 Based on usual practice in Greece

Optimal pharmacotherapy according to the GOLD guideline, vaccination, oxygen therapy

Exercise capacity

 6MWT

QoL

 SGRQ

 CAT

 mMRC

Author/date Jimenez-Reguera et al. (2020)

Design and duration 12—RCT

Country Spain

Population clinically stable COPD patients with GOLD classification II, III, IV

Age 55–85 years

Gender male and female

Groups 2

Total 44

IG 20

CG 24

Initial PR programme (8-weeks)

 Based on the Spanish society of pulmonology and thoracic surgery, hospital protocols

 Muscle training, respiratory physiotherapy, education relevant to COPD

TR programme (10-months)

 Mobile phone with web-based app (HappyAir) with two main parts educational part about COPD then data collection about PA and the condition

 App reminds participants to record medication intake, exercise duration, warning signs

 Patients were advised to perform physical activity and breathing exercises daily

CG (10-months)

 Patients are advised to engage in PA and breathing exercises

Exercise capacity

 6MWT

QoL

 CAT

 SQRQ

 Euro-5D

Author/time Wootton et al. (2018)

Design and duration 12—RCT

Country Sydney, Australia

Population clinically stable COPD patients with GOLD classification II, III, IV

Age 55–85 years

Gender male and female

Groups 2

Total 95 participants

IG 49

CG 46

Subjects participated in a PR programme before randomisation

IG & CG Supervised exercise training (2 months)

Supervised walking training with usual medical care

IG-TR programme (12 months)

 Motivation sessions and health coaching with the site coordinator prior to start of the intervention

 Telephone contacts with physiotherapist with structured questions and advice about overall health, diets, exercises and self-management strategies and PA goals for the next 2–4 weeks before the next session

 Encouraged to engage in PA at 3/7

 Patients are asked to record their step counts and exercise duration in a diary

CG—12 months

Unsupervised walking exercise 3/7 days

Exercise capacity

 6MWT

 ISWT

 ESWT

QoL

 SGRQ

 CRQ