We investigated the usefulness and effectiveness of tele-rehabilitation on exercise capacity in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). A randomized study was carried out, including stable patients with IPF for 3 months of tele-rehabilitation: video and chat consultations with a physiotherapist and workout sessions with a virtual physiotherapist agent (VAPA). Moreover, 6-min walk test distance (6MWTD), forced vital capacity (FVC), diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), 7 days pedometry, Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire for interstitial lung disease, The King’s Brief Interstitial Lung Disease Questionnaire, and General Anxiety Disorder 7 Questionnaire were tested before and after 3 months of tele-rehabilitation, as well as after 3 and 6 months follow-up. Patient satisfaction and adherence were also measured for tele-rehabilitation with VAPA. Twenty-nine patients aged 70.9 ± 8.6 years, male 72.4%, FVC% 83.5 ± 17.7, DLCO% 50.6 ± 13.0, 6MWTD 468.4 ± 14.8 were included. Fifteen patients were randomized to tele-rehabilitation with VAPA and 14 to the control group. Differences in 6MWTD between groups were at baseline (+10 m (p = 0.11)) and after 3 (+39.5 m (p = 0.03)), 6 (+34.3 m (p = 0.02)), and 9 months (+40.5 m (p = 0.15)) follow-up. No difference was observed in pedometry and quality of life. Adherence was above 63%. Patient satisfaction was high. Tele-rehabilitation with VAPA appears to be useful in patients with IPF. Exercise capacity was better at follow up at 3 and 6 months compared with the control group. There was no change in quality of life or pedometry. Adherence and patient satisfaction were all high.

In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rehabilitation is recommended, but attendance rates are low. Tele-rehabilitation may be key. We evaluate the effect of a tele-rehabilitation program vs. standard rehabilitation on COPD. A randomized, non-inferiority study comparing eight weeks of tele-rehabilitation (physiotherapist video/chat-consultations and workout sessions with a virtual-autonomous-physiotherapist-agent (VAPA)) and standard rehabilitation in stable patients with COPD. At baseline, after 8 weeks and 3 and 6 months of follow-up, 6 min walk test distance (6MWTD), 7-day pedometry, quality of life, exercise tolerance, adherence, patient satisfaction and safety were assessed. Fifty-four patients (70 ± 9 years, male 57%, FEV1% 34.53 ± 11.67, FVC% 68.8 ± 18.81, 6MWT 376.23 ± 92.02) were included. Twenty-seven patients were randomized to tele-rehabilitation. Non-inferiority in Δ6MWTD at 8 weeks (47.4 ± 31.4), and at 3 (56.0 ± 38.0) and 6 (95.2 ± 47.1) months follow-up, was observed. No significant difference was observed in 7-day pedometry or quality of life. In the intervention group, 6MWTD increased by 25% and 66% at 3 and 6 months, respectively; adherence was 81%; and patient satisfaction was 4.27 ± 0.77 (Likert scale 0–5). Non-inferiority between groups and high adherence, patient satisfaction and safety in the intervention group were found after rehabilitation and at 3 and 6 months of follow-up. Tele-rehabilitation with VAPA seems to be a promising alternative.

Purpose of the study: Explore perceptions, expectations and challenges following a telerehabilitation programme using augmented reality glasses (ARG) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or recently diagnosed myocardial infarction (MI).

Background: Sarcoidosis can lead to variable periods of sickness and unemployment. Rehabilitation is recommended in sarcoidosis to improve exercise capacity. Therefore, focus on creating different and flexible rehabilitation options adapted to the needs of working patients is warranted to keep patients with sarcoidosis employed and to reduce the socioeconomic burden. Telerehabilitation (TR) might be an alternative. We investigated the usefulness and effectiveness of TR on exercise capacity in patients with sarcoidosis. Method: Single-center, prospective, randomized study including stable patients with sarcoidosis who were enrolled in either a control group where they received the usual standard of care (not including rehabilitation) or in the 3 months TR group composed of video and chat-consultations with a physiotherapist and workout sessions with a virtual autonomous physiotherapist agent (VAPA) (1). 6-minute-walk-test (6MWT), forced vital capacity (FVC), diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), isometric voluntary contraction (MVC), 7 days pedometry, Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire for interstitial lung disease (SGRQ-I), The King's Brief Interstitial Lung Disease Questionnaire (KBILD) and General Anxiety Disorder-7 Questionnaire (GAD7) were tested before and after 3 months of TR, and after 3-and 6 months follow-up. Patient satisfaction was measured with a 5-point scale (5 very satisfied) and adherence was calculated as percent of tasks and time spent training. Adverse events were documented. Results: Thirty patients aged 53.9 +/- 13.5 years, male 63.3%, FVC% 88.9 +/- 18.8, DLCO% 65.2 +/- 16.0, 6MWT 513.1 +/- 141.3 were included. Fifteen patients were randomized to TR with VAPA and 15 patients to the control group. Differences in meters walked (6MWTD) between groups was at baseline (-28.9 m (p=0.58)), after 3 (+25.8 m (p=0.57)), 6 (+48.4 m (p=0.39)) and 9 months (+77.3 m (p=0.18)) follow-up in favor of telerehabilitation. No differences were observed in MVC, 7 days pedometry, SGRQ-I, KBILD or GAD7. Exercise adherence in the intervention group was 64% and average exercise time was 28 minutes per exercise session during the first 3 months. Patient satisfaction scored 3.8 +/- 0.7. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion: VAPA TR did not result in any change in exercise capacity or patient-reported outcomes in this pilot study in patients with sarcoido sis. However, a statistically non-significant trend for improved 6MWTD was observed during follow-up. VAPA TR was safe, had high patient satisfaction and acceptable adherence. Further randomized studies including larger numbers of participants are needed.

Hospitalisation at Home (HaH) is a new model providing hospital-level care at home as a substitute for traditional care. Biometric monitoring and digital communication are crucial, but little is known about user perspectives. We aim to explore how in-patients with severe COVID-19 infection and clinicians engage with and experience communication and self-monitoring activities following the HaH model. A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews of patients and clinicians participating in the early development phase of HaH were conducted. We interviewed eight clinicians and six patients. Five themes emerged from clinicians: (1) staff fear and concerns, (2) workflow, (3) virtual closeness, (4) patient relatives, and (5) future HaH models; four themes emerged from patients: (1) transition to home, (2) joint responsibility, (3) acceptability of technologies, and (4) relatives. Despite technical problems, both patients and clinicians were enthusiastic about the conceptual HaH idea. If appropriately introduced, treatment based on self-monitoring and remote communication was perceived acceptable for the patients; however, obtaining vitals at night was an overwhelming challenge. HaH is generally acceptable, perceived patient-centred, influencing routine clinical workflow, role and job satisfaction. Therefore, it calls for educational programs including more perspective than issues related to technical devices.