TY - JOUR T1 - Supervised pulmonary tele-rehabilitation versus pulmonary rehabilitation in severe COPD: a randomised multicentre trial JF - Thorax JO - Thorax SP - 413 LP - 421 DO - 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2019-214246 VL - 75 IS - 5 AU - Henrik Hansen AU - Theresa Bieler AU - Nina Beyer AU - Thomas Kallemose AU - Jon Torgny Wilcke AU - Lisbeth Marie Østergaard AU - Helle Frost Andeassen AU - Gerd Martinez AU - Marie Lavesen AU - Anne Frølich AU - Nina Skavlan Godtfredsen Y1 - 2020/05/01 UR - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/75/5/413.abstract N2 - Rationale Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an effective, key standard treatment for people with COPD. Nevertheless, low participant uptake, insufficient attendance and high drop-out rates are reported. Investigation is warranted of the benefits achieved through alternative approaches, such as pulmonary tele-rehabilitation (PTR).Objective To investigate whether PTR is superior to conventional PR on 6 min walk distance (6MWD) and secondarily on respiratory symptoms, quality of life, physical activity and lower limb muscle function in patients with COPD and FEV1 <50% eligible for routine hospital-based, outpatient PR.Methods In this single-blinded, multicentre, superiority randomised controlled trial, patients were assigned 1:1 to 10 weeks of groups-based PTR (60 min, three times weekly) or conventional PR (90 min, two times weekly). Assessments were performed by blinded assessors at baseline, end of intervention and at 22 weeks’ follow-up from baseline. The primary analysis was based on the intention-to-treat principle.Measurements and main results The primary outcome was change in 6MWD from baseline to 10 weeks; 134 participants (74 females, mean±SD age 68±9 years, FEV1 33%±9% predicted, 6MWD 327±103 metres) were included and randomised. The analysis showed no between-group differences for changes in 6MWD after intervention (9.2 metres (95% CI: −6.6 to 24.9)) or at 22 weeks’ follow-up (−5.3 metres (95% CI: −28.9 to 18.3)). More participants completed the PTR intervention (n=57) than conventional PR (n=43) (χ2 test p<0.01).Conclusion PTR was not superior to conventional PR on the 6MWD and we found no differences between groups. As more participants completed PTR, supervised PTR would be relevant to compare with conventional PR in a non-inferiority design.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02667171), 28 January 2016. ER -