Home telehealth for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

We conducted a systematic review of the literature about home telehealth for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared with usual care. An electronic literature search identified 6241 citations. From these, nine original studies (10 references) relating to 858 patients were selected for inclusion in the review. Four studies compared home telemonitoring with usual care, and six randomized controlled trials compared telephone support with usual care. Clinical heterogeneity was present in many of the outcomes measured. Home telehealth (home telemonitoring and telephone support) was found to reduce rates of hospitalization and emergency department visits, while findings for hospital bed days of care varied between studies. However, the mortality rate was greater in the telephone-support group compared with usual care (risk ratio = 1.21; 95% CI: 0.84 to 1.75). Home telehealth interventions were similar or better than usual care for quality of life and patient satisfaction outcomes.

Telehealthcare for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Cochrane Review and meta-analysis

“…It is relevant to consider the meta-analysis in the Polisena et al 26 review, where there is a transposition of the deaths in the Bourbeau et al 12 study between the intervention and control groups which has a major impact on the mortality meta-analysis. Researchers of the current study have informed the authors of this.…”

“…Researchers of the current study have informed the authors of this. In addition, Polisena et al 26 did not limit inclusion criteria to only randomised controlled trials and so there is a risk of bias from less methodologically rigorous studies.…”

Face-to-Face Versus Video Assessment of Facial Paralysis: Implications for Telemedicine (Preprint)

“…This suggests a potential for teleassessment, but the impact of synchronicity and clinician-patient interactions on the reliability of assessment needs to be empirically investigated. If the results are positive, the use of tele-health could increase access to specialized services for individuals with FNP thereby improving quality of care and rehabilitative outcomes [12,18,19,23,25].…”

“…Telemedicine is healthcare delivered via telecommunications technology over a distance [11,[15][16][17][18], allowing improved access to care in various physical and mental health conditions by overcoming geographical and temporal barriers [11,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. Telemedicine has also been associated with increased access and compliance to pulmonary rehabilitation [22], and reduced hospitalization rates, emergency department visits, and length of hospital stay for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [23]. Patients have reported similar or better quality of life compared to usual care [23].…”

“…Telemedicine has also been associated with increased access and compliance to pulmonary rehabilitation [22], and reduced hospitalization rates, emergency department visits, and length of hospital stay for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [23]. Patients have reported similar or better quality of life compared to usual care [23]. In addition, Internet-based interventions have been found to significantly decrease pain intensity, depression, anxiety and stress, and increase quality of life compared with in-person psychotherapy in patients with medically unexplained pain [20], in youth with depression and anxiety [21], in military personnel with PTSD and depression [17,24], and in patients with neurofibromatosis [15].…”