Early home-based pulmonary rehabilitation following acute exacerbation of COPD: A feasibility study using an action research approach

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves function, reduces symptoms and decreases healthcare usage in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) following an acute exacerbation (AECOPD). However, rehabilitation uptake rates are low. This study aimed to address barriers to uptake and completion of PR following AECOPD. METHODS: An action research approach was used to reflect on study feasibility, and to plan and implement an improved protocol. Phase I tested the feasibility of home-based PR started early after AECOPD. Phase II used qualitative interviews to identified potential barriers to program uptake. Phase III re-tested the program with changes to recruitment and assessment strategies. RESULTS: Phase I: From 97 screened patients, 26 were eligible and 10 (38%) started home-based PR. Eight participants undertook ≥70% of PR sessions, achieving clinically meaningful improvement in 6-minute walk distance (mean (SD) change 76 (60) m) and chronic respiratory disease questionnaire total score (15 (21) units). Phase II: Potential barriers to uptake of home-based PR included access issues, confidence to exercise, and lack of information about PR benefits. Phase III: From 77 screened patients, 23 were eligible and 5 (22%) started the program. DISCUSSION: Home-based PR improved clinical outcomes, but program eligibility and uptake remain challenging. Efforts should be made to ensure PR program eligibility criteria are broad enough to accommodate patient needs, and new ways of engaging patients are needed to improve PR uptake after AECOPD.