Feasibility and clinical impact of deploying a digital health intervention in a Medicare population with COPD

Abstract

Background: Digital health interventions demonstrate positive impacts on clinical outcomes in asthma, but their impact in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is limited. Aims and Objectives: We aimed to assess the feasibility and clinical impact of a digital health intervention in a Medicare population with COPD. Methods: Participants were enrolled in a single arm, pre-post study at JenCare in Louisville, Kentucky from 12/2015 to 10/2016. Participants had a diagnosis of COPD and a short-acting beta agonist (SABA). They received a wireless inhaler sensor to track date, time, and frequency of SABA use for 12 months. Participants received access to web dashboards and emails that provided information about their disease status and guidelines-based education. JenCare staff monitored SABA use through a web dashboard to identify signals of acute worsening. We evaluated the feasibility of enrollment and the duration of participation, and assessed the frequency of SABA use and symptom-free days from baseline to six months. Results: 201 participants were enrolled, 190 (95%) synced a sensor to begin data transmission, and 84% were active after 6 months. 76% were 60 or older and 62% were female. After 6 months, SABA use decreased from 1.51 (first week) to 0.77 uses/person/day (last week), a significant 49% reduction (p Conclusions: A digital health intervention was feasible and effective in a Medicare population. Participants demonstrated high retention rates, significantly reduced SABA use and more symptom-free days.