Telehealth and Onsite Maintenance Exercise in Chronic Lung Disease

Launched by MGH INSTITUTE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS · Mar 4, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring two different ways to provide exercise support for adults with Chronic Lung Disease, such as COPD or pulmonary fibrosis. The study compares an 8-week program where participants either exercise in person with a trainer or join virtual sessions from home using telehealth technology. The goal is to see which method helps improve important health factors, like shortness of breath, physical strength, and overall quality of life, after finishing a traditional rehabilitation program.

To join the study, participants need to be at least 40 years old and have been diagnosed with Chronic Lung Disease within the last two months. They should be able to walk independently and complete a simple walking test. Those who primarily use a wheelchair, have serious mobility issues, or cannot communicate in English are not eligible. During the trial, participants will have an initial assessment, then follow either the onsite or telehealth exercise plan for eight weeks. There will also be a control group that only receives phone check-ins without any exercise support. This study aims to find out the best way to help patients stay active and improve their health after rehabilitation.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • All adult patients 40 years and older with physician diagnosed Chronic Lung Disease within 2 months of discharge following completion of a traditional onsite outpatient rehabilitation or physical therapy or exercise program for their condition
• • Able to walk independently with or without mobility devices
• • Able to complete a six-minute walk test at discharge with or without supplemental oxygen maintaining an oxygen saturation at or above 85%
• • Able to follow commands and instructions in the English language
• • Have ability to connect to the internet
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • • Those with significant mobility limitations such as those with a history of stroke, neurological comorbidities such as Parkinson's disease or relapsing multiple sclerosis, or significant degenerative osteoarthritis, or any other joint impairments that compromise ability to walk independently with or without an assistive device.
• • Patients who primarily rely on a wheelchair for mobility
• • Patients with or without supplemental oxygen who are unable to complete a walking test without a drop in oxygen saturation to below 85% at discharge from traditional outpatient rehabilitation
• • Patients with baseline hemodynamic compromise, unstable angina, a recent myocardial infarction within a week, uncontrollable atrial fibrillation not managed with medications, advanced stage heart failure (New York Heart Association class 4), or those with mechanical circulatory assist devices for the heart such a ventricular assist device (VADs)
• • Inability to communicate in the English language