Satisfaction and Experience with a Supervised Home-Based Real-Time Videoconferencing Telerehabilitation Exercise Program in People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Abstract

Telerehabilitation, consisting of supervised home-based exercise training via real-time videoconferencing, is an alternative method to deliver pulmonary rehabilitation with potential to improve access. The aims were to determine the level of satisfaction and experience of an eight-week supervised home-based telerehabilitation exercise program using real-time videoconferencing in people with COPD. Quantitative measures were the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 (CSQ-8) and a purpose-designed satisfaction survey. A qualitative component was conducted using semi-structured interviews. Nineteen participants (mean (SD) age 73 (8) years, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) 60 (23) % predicted) showed a high level of satisfaction in the CSQ-8 score and 100% of participants reported a high level of satisfaction with the quality of exercise sessions delivered using real-time videoconferencing in participant satisfaction survey. Eleven participants undertook semi-structured interviews. Key themes in four areas relating to the telerehabilitation service emerged: positive virtual interaction through technology; health benefits; and satisfaction with the convenience and use of equipment. Participants were highly satisfied with the telerehabilitation exercise program delivered via videoconferencing.

Providing heart failure rehabilitation in the home via telerehabilitation

“…A key motivator expressed by all participants was the easy access with reduced travel time. This is in agreement with other studies in patients with COPD, where telerehabilitation provided access to clinicians with specialised knowledge in the area (Hoaas et al, 2016;Tsai et al, 2016). Similarly in a qualitative study, patients with total knee arthroplasties described the elimination of travel as the predominate benefit of telerehabilitation (Kairy et al, 2013).…”

“…A major contribution of our study was the discovery of various motivating influences of a telerehabilitation program, including health outcomes, easy access to care with reduced travel time, and social support. This is in agreement with other studies which reported an elimination of travel as the predominate facilitator to participate in telerehabilitation (Hoaas et al, 2016;Tsai et al, 2016).…”

“…Another strong motivating influence in our study was social support from the family, other participants and the clinicians. A group-based program was chosen for our study, as it has been suggested that many participants enjoy group interaction and social support from other participants (Neubeck et al, 2012;Tsai et al, 2016). This is in agreement with a study on community-based exercise program for people with chronic respiratory disease and CHF, where many participants recognised that it was difficult to exercise independently and that they required the mutual encouragement of other participants and the physiotherapists .…”

“…However, there are a few studies exploring patient perspectives toward telerehabilitation in other patient groups. For instance patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reported that telerehabilitation provided via web-portal and videoconferencing led to health benefits, increased self-efficacy and motivation (Dinesen et al, 2011;Hoaas et al, 2016;Tsai et al, 2016). Similarly, patients with joint replacements highlighted the fact that they developed a strong therapeutic relationship with clinicians during the video-based telerehabilitation program (Eriksson et al, 2011;Kairy et al, 2013).…”

“…Similarly, patients with joint replacements highlighted the fact that they developed a strong therapeutic relationship with clinicians during the video-based telerehabilitation program (Eriksson et al, 2011;Kairy et al, 2013). Other studies also found that patients were generally satisfied with the video-based telerehabilitation program, but experienced some technological usability issues (Hoaas et al, 2016;Holland et al, 2013a;Tsai et al, 2016). Despite these generally positive comments, the uptake of telerehabilitation into clinical practice remains slow.…”