Abstract

Introduction. In the project “PulmoRehab – Access to Healthcare Services through a Personalized Patient Care System for COPD including Remote Monitoring and Tele-rehabilitation Based on Artificial Intelligence Methods,” SP ZOZ Specialized Hospital Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration in Głuchołazy and 10 partners conducted research on tele-rehabilitation for people suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The tele-rehabilitation program, based on personalized approach and technology, allowed patients to use therapy at home or a convenient location. The project aimed to reduce social inequalities in healthcare by providing remote access to health services for COPD patients.

Materials and Methods. The study involved 80 patients aged 50 to 76 years, hospitalized at Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration’s Specialist Hospital of St. John Paul II, meeting specific criteria. Qualification for the tele-rehabilitation program took into account the assessment of exercise tolerance, dyspnea, fatigue, lung ventilatory function, and saturation. The program included exercises adapted to the individual needs of the patients.

Results. Analysis of the results conducted using XLSTAT software 2021.2.2 showed statistically significant differences between spirometric values before and after rehabilitation. Similarly, significant improvement was observed in the results of the 6MWT test and blood saturation. The tele-rehabilitation program proved effective in improving respiratory health parameters in COPD patients.

Conclusions.

1. The tele-rehabilitation program improves lung ventilatory function in people with COPD. It reduces the feeling of dyspnea, decreases fatigue, improves SpO2, and increases exercise tolerance, demonstrating the beneficial effects of the rehabilitation applied.

2. The obtained results encourage further research on a representative group with the use of randomization.

Key words:

Tele-rehabilitation, COPD