Late Breaking Abstract - 1-year follow-up of pulmonary tele-rehabilitation versus conventional pulmonary rehabilitation: A multicenter, single blinded, superiority RCT

Introduction: Randomized studies on pulmonary tele-rehabilitation (PTR) in people with COPD has shown positive short-term effects on physical capacity compared to conventional PR. No data on the potential for long-term sustainability from PTR exist. Aim: To investigate if PTR has long-term superiority to conventional PR on walking capacity (6MWD) and secondarily on the following outcomes: symptoms (CAT, HADS), quality of life (EQ-5D), physical activity level (accelerometer), mortality and hospitalizations. Methods: In a multicenter RCT, people with severe COPD (FEV1 Results: 134 participants (74 females, mean±SD age 68±9 years, FEV1 33±9 % predicted, 6MWD 327±103) were randomized 1:1. Intention-to-treat analysis showed no between-group differences for 6MWD at 12-month follow-up [5.7meters (95%CI: -24.8; 36.1)], similar to our previously published short-term effects. None of the within group short-term improvements after intervention were maintained. There were no statistical between-groups difference in respiratory hospitalization [HR: 1.08 (0.57; 1.99), all-cause hospitalization [HR: 1.16 (0.76; 1.78)] or mortality. Conclusion: Pulmonary tele-rehabilitation was not superior to conventional PR at 12-month follow-up. PTR has similar limitations regarding long-term sustainability as conventional PR.