Tele-Rehabilitation Program in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis—A Single-Center Randomized Trial

Jose Cerdán- de-las-Heras, Fernanda Balbino, Anders Løkke, Daniel Catalán-Matamoros, Ole Hilberg and Elisabeth Bendstrup
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Jose Cerdán- de-las-Heras: Center for Rare Lung Diseases, Department of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
Fernanda Balbino: Department of Research and Development, Physio R&D ApS, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark
Anders Løkke: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Vejle Hospital, 7100 Vejle, Denmark
Daniel Catalán-Matamoros: UC3M Medialab, Department of Communication and Media Studies, Madrid University Carlos III, 28903 Madrid, Spain
Ole Hilberg: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Vejle Hospital, 7100 Vejle, Denmark
Elisabeth Bendstrup: Center for Rare Lung Diseases, Department of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 19, 1-11

Abstract: We investigated the usefulness and effectiveness of tele-rehabilitation on exercise capacity in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). A randomized study was carried out, including stable patients with IPF for 3 months of tele-rehabilitation: video and chat consultations with a physiotherapist and workout sessions with a virtual physiotherapist agent (VAPA). Moreover, 6-min walk test distance (6MWTD), forced vital capacity (FVC), diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), 7 days pedometry, Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire for interstitial lung disease, The King’s Brief Interstitial Lung Disease Questionnaire, and General Anxiety Disorder 7 Questionnaire were tested before and after 3 months of tele-rehabilitation, as well as after 3 and 6 months follow-up. Patient satisfaction and adherence were also measured for tele-rehabilitation with VAPA. Twenty-nine patients aged 70.9 ± 8.6 years, male 72.4%, FVC% 83.5 ± 17.7, DLCO% 50.6 ± 13.0, 6MWTD 468.4 ± 14.8 were included. Fifteen patients were randomized to tele-rehabilitation with VAPA and 14 to the control group. Differences in 6MWTD between groups were at baseline (+10 m ( p = 0.11)) and after 3 (+39.5 m ( p = 0.03)), 6 (+34.3 m ( p = 0.02)), and 9 months (+40.5 m ( p = 0.15)) follow-up. No difference was observed in pedometry and quality of life. Adherence was above 63%. Patient satisfaction was high. Tele-rehabilitation with VAPA appears to be useful in patients with IPF. Exercise capacity was better at follow up at 3 and 6 months compared with the control group. There was no change in quality of life or pedometry. Adherence and patient satisfaction were all high.

Keywords: tele-rehabilitation; idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; virtual reality; virtual agent (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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