Effect of internet-based pulmonary rehabilitation on physical capacity and health-related life quality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Purpose

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is now recognized as the most effective treatments for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), internet-based PR arises a promising method. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis for assessing the effect of internet-based PR programs on physical capacity and health-related quality of life in patients with COPD.

Materials and methods

Randomized controlled trials were identified through systematically searches in PubMed, EMBASE, web of science, CENTRAL, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases.

Results

Twelve studies (1433 patients) were included. For physical capacity, there was no significant difference between groups was found according to the 6-min walk test (6MWT) (MD10.42, 95% CI −2.92 to 23.77, p = 0.13, I2 = 0%). For the health-related quality of life, no significant difference between groups was found regarding the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) (MD −0.64, 95% CI −3.52 to 2.23, p = 0.66), COPD assessment test (CAT)(MD −0.34, 95% CI −1.62 to 0.94, p = 0.60), modified Medical Research Council scale (mMRC)(MD 0.17, 95% CI −0.06 to 0.39, p = 0.15) and Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ)(MD 1.32 95% CI −5.88 to 8.53, p = 0.72).

Conclusions:

This study has established the potential for delivery of PR via the internet in demonstrating non-inferiority of physical capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared with conventional PR.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Long-term rehabilitation training for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease needs a more convenient and feasible way.

• In this study, internet-based rehabilitation showed similar effects as conventional rehabilitation on physical activity and health-related quality of life.

• Internet-based rehabilitation strategies would be helpful for this population.

• All internet-based rehabilitation strategies should be simple and sustainable.

Keywords:

• Internet
• pulmonary rehabilitation
• chronic obstructive respiratory disease
• physical capacity health-related quality of life
• telemedicine

Acknowledgements

Concept/idea/research design: Gongwei Jia; Writing: Xin Zhang, Li Cheng; Data collection: Xin Zhang, Li Cheng; Data analysis: Xin Zhang, Gongwei Jia; Project management: Liping Zhang, Yilin Liu; Fund procurement: Li Cheng; Providing participants: Sanrong Wang; Providing facilities/equipment: Gongwei Jia; Consultation (including review of manuscript before submitting): Gongwei Jia, Sanrong Wang.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant 81900079), the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing (grant cstc2020jcyj-msxmX0238), the Chongqing medical scientific research project (Joint project of Chongqing Health Commission and Science and Technology Beau) (grant number 2020MSXM036), and the Kuanren Talents Program of the second affiliated hospital of Chongqing Medical University. These funding sources were not involved in the literature review, systematic review, meta-analysis, and writing of the report.