Tele-Rehabilitation for Rural Pulmonary Care: Feasibility and Outcomes
Keywords:
Telemedicine, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Rural Health, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Exercise Therapy, Patient Satisfaction, Feasibility StudiesAbstract
Background Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an essential intervention for chronic respiratory diseases, yet access remains a challenge in rural areas. Tele-rehabilitation (tele-PR) offers a promising alternative to traditional center-based PR, addressing barriers like geographic isolation and resource constraints. Objective To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of tele-PR in improving exercise capacity, symptoms, and quality of life in rural populations. Methods This pilot feasibility study utilized a mixed-methods approach involving 100 participants with chronic respiratory diseases. Participants underwent an 8-week tele-PR program, including supervised exercise sessions, educational modules, and self-management support via a telehealth platform. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 12-week follow-up. Exercise capacity was measured using the six-minute walk test (6MWT), symptom severity using the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), and patient satisfaction using a Likert scale. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25, with significance set at p<0.05. Results Participants demonstrated a significant improvement in 6MWT distance (baseline: 330.5 ± 45.3 m; post-intervention: 372.8 ± 48.1 m; p<0.001) and CAT scores (baseline: 21.7 ± 5.2; post-intervention: 16.1 ± 4.8; p<0.001). Adherence was 92%, and satisfaction scored 4.6 ± 0.3. Conclusion Tele-PR is a feasible, effective, and accessible intervention for rural populations, significantly improving exercise capacity, symptoms, and satisfaction. Further research is needed to refine and scale tele-PR programs.
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