Effectiveness of a Home-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program in Veterans

Purpose: This study examined the effectiveness and safety of a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation (HBPR) program in Veterans. Methods: Patients were evaluated from five Veteran Affairs facilities that enrolled in the 12-week program. Pre- to postchanges were completed on clinical outcomes using paired t-tests and the Wilcoxon signed rank sum test. Descriptive statistics were used for patient demographics, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations. Results: Two hundred eighty-five patients with a mean age of 69.6 ± 8.3 years enrolled in the HBPR program from October 2018 to March 2020. There was a 62% (n = 176) completion rate of both pre- and post assessments. Significant improvements were detected after completion of the HBPR program in dyspnea (modified Medical Research Council: 3.1 ± 1.1 vs. 1.9 ± 1.1; p < 0.0001); exercise capacity (six-minute walk distance: 263.1 m ± 96.6 m vs. 311.0 m ± 103.6 m; p < 0.0001; Duke Activity Status Index: 13.8 ± 9.6 vs. 20.0 ± 12.7; p < 0.0001; self-reported steps per day: 1514.5 ± 1360.4 vs. 3033.8 ± 2716.2; p < 0.0001); depression (patient health questionnaire-9: 8.3 ± 5.7 vs. 6.4 ± 5.1); nutrition habits (rate your plate, heart: 45.3 ± 9.0 vs. 48.9 ± 9.2; p < 0.0001); multicomponent assessment tools (BODE Index: 5.1 ± 2.5 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4; p < 0.0001), GOLD ABCD Assessment: p < 0.0009); and quality of life (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test: 25.4 ± 7.7 vs. 18.7 ± 8.5; p < 0.0001). No adverse events were reported due to participation in HBPR. Conclusions: The HBPR program is a safe and effective model and provides an additional option to address the gap in pulmonary rehabilitation access and utilization in the Veterans Affairs.