How do people with COPD experience telerehabilitation using exergaming? A qualitative study.

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary rehabilitation
• Telerehabilitation
• Exergaming technology

Background:

• Centre-based pulmonary rehabilitation offers benefits but faces accessibility and adherence challenges.
• Home-based pulmonary telerehabilitation (PTR) presents a potential solution, but patient experiences require further understanding.
• This study investigated patient perspectives on home-based exergaming PTR for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences and perceptions of patients with COPD participating in a home-based exergaming PTR program.
• To identify facilitators and barriers to participation in home-based exergaming PTR.
• To understand how technology and support influence patient engagement in home-based exercise.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing individual semi-structured interviews.
• 11 patients with COPD who completed a 12-week exergaming PTR program were interviewed.
• Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using inductive content analysis.

Main Results:

• A key theme emerged: well-functioning technology and continuous physiotherapist support empower COPD patients to exercise independently.
• Technology enabled flexibility and motivation but also presented challenges like technical issues and space limitations.
• Physiotherapist support enhanced self-efficacy and adherence through feedback, monitoring, and individualization, despite challenges like symptom variability.

Conclusions:

• Home-based exergaming PTR is acceptable and motivating when technology is reliable and support is consistent.
• Prioritizing robust equipment, clear feedback, and individualized exercise is crucial for improving adherence and long-term outcomes.
• Exergaming PTR offers a promising avenue for improving exercise capacity and reducing fear of exertion in COPD patients.