Early Telemedicine Training in Patients With COPD
Early Telemedicine Training in Patients With COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a widespread disease that can have a major
 impact on the lives of individuals. An essential element in the treatment of COPD is
 rehabilitation of which supervised training is an important part. However, not all
 individuals with severe COPD can participate in the rehabilitation provided by hospitals and
 municipal training centres due to distance to the training venues and transportation
 difficulties. The aim of the feasibility study was to evaluate an individualised home based
 training and counselling programme via video conference to patients with severe COPD after
 hospitalization with regard to safety, clinical outcomes, patients' perception,
 organisational aspects and economic aspects.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  severe and very severe COPD (i.e. with an FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second)
 value under 50% of the predicted value, an FEV1/FVC (forced vital capacity) ratio <
 70%, MRC (Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Scale) grade 3)

 -  ≥40 years

 -  hospitalization with exacerbation of COPD

 -  declined participation in the hospital based rehabilitation

 -  participation in videoconference sessions with a nurse for one week immediately after
 discharge.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  inability to communicate via telephone and computer

 -  systolic BP <100mm Hg

 -  X-rays of the thorax showing abnormalities suspicious of thoracic malignancy or lobar
 pneumonia

 -  a diagnosis of cancer or recurrence of cancer within the last 5 years

 -  hospitalization with septic shock, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or other serious
 medical conditions (e.g. kidney disorder)

 -  heart failure (EF<30%)

 -  if the patient did not wish to participate.