Can a 6 week multi-disciplinary weekend Pulmonary Rehabilitation service for patients with weekday work commitments be both feasible and effective?

Abstract

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide (Lozano et al 2010). COPD accounts for a colossal £2.7 billion due to lost working days per annum (DoH, 2010). Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is highly cost effective and nationally recommended (NICE 2010). Our group has discovered that more than half of our referrers do not refer patients that are unable to attend weekday classes. Aims: To assess the feasibility and efficacy of a weekend Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme. To explore participants experience of a novel service. Method: Participants were recruited from June – October 2016 from primary care. Six classes were run on consecutive Saturday’s. Sessions were adapted for this younger working group by education pre and post exercise being tailored. Core education sessions on “What is COPD” were run alongside “Role of the Practice Nurse”. Outcome measures used were the Incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and the COPD assessment test (CAT). Patient experience was measured using data from feedback forms and follow up telephone consultations. Results: Six out of fifteen patients completed the programme. Improvements in ISWT were seen for 4 out of 6 completers (mean=153m). Psychological screening did not indicate significant baseline psychological issues. Only one participant each reported an improvement in anxiety scores (-1), depression score (-2) and CAT score (-3). Feedback from all participants showed high levels of perceived experience. Conclusions: A 6 week weekend PR programme is feasible, well received and greatly improves physical endurance.