Is Virtual Autonomous Physiotherapist Tele-rehabilitation Program feasible in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?

Abstract

Background: In Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is recommended to improve exercise capacity. If relevant specialized hospital-based PR is even available, only few patients with IPF can participate due to frailty and long travelling distances. Therefore, tele-rehabilitation (TR) might be a standard treatment in the future. We investigated the feasibility and efficacy of TR on exercise capacity in patients with IPF. Method: Single-center, prospective, randomized study, including stable IPF patients, for 3 months (M) of TR: video and chat-consultations with a real physiotherapist and workout sessions with a virtual autonomous physiotherapist agent (VAPA). Exercise capacity was evaluated with 6-minute-walk-test (6MWT) before and after 3M TR, 3 and 6 M follow up. Control patients did not receive PR. Results: 26 patients (age 70.62±8.41 years, male 77%, FVC% 83.41±16.24, DLCO% 51.6±13.51, 6MWT 468.38±14.83) were included. 12 patients were randomized to TR with VAPA and 14 patients to the control group. The figure below displays mean differences in meters walked (6MWT), standard deviation, and p-value between groups. Conclusion: TR with VAPA is feasible for patients with IPF. Stabilization in exercise capacity after TR training with VAPA was demonstrated until 6 months after the end of TR while patients in the control group decreased.