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.