Role of Visual Biofeedback in COPD Patients on Structured Home-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program: a Double-Blind, Parallel, Randomized Controlled Trial

Rashid, Mohd; Mishra, Sudhir R; Verma, Ajay Kumar; Kumar, Dileep; Yadav, Ganesh; Gupta, Anil K

Role of Visual Biofeedback in COPD Patients on Structured Home-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program: a Double-Blind, Parallel, Randomized Controlled Trial

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mohd Rashid ¹

Sudhir R Mishra ¹

Ajay Kumar Verma ²

Dileep Kumar ¹

Ganesh Yadav ¹

Anil K Gupta ¹

¹ Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, King George’s Medical University, Shah Mina Road, Chowk, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226003

² Department of Respiratory Medicine, King George’s Medical University, Shah Mina Road, Chowk, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226003

Abstract

Background: Globally, COPD is the most common pulmonary disorder. Although Indoor Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs increase exercise tolerance and improve quality of life in COPD, they also cause a significant escalation in the expenses of treatment. This study aimed to assess the effect of home-based PR programs in patients with mild to severely affected stable COPD, to determine the impact of visual biofeedback on pulmonary function and the quality of life of these patients.
Materials and Methods: This Double-blind, parallel, randomized controlled study was conducted at a tertiary care center from April 2023 to June 2024. The study enrolled 70 patients, who were randomized into group A (Incentive spirometry plus conventional pulmonary exercise) and group B (Conventional pulmonary exercises). Pulmonary indices, FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 sec), FVC (Forced Vital Capacity), FEV1/FVC (%), and Quality of life indices, St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (symptoms score, activities score, impact score, and total score), were used as outcome measures. Data were recorded at baseline and after 4 weeks of a structured PR program and analyzed by SPSS version 24.0, and a p-value < 0.05 was chosen as the level of significance.
Results: There were 44 males and 26 females. Inter-group assessment after 4 weeks of PR program showed improvement in FEV1 (p-value: 0.043), FVC (p-value: 0.032), Symptom score (p-value: 0.038), Impact Score (p-value: 0.005), and Total score (p-value < 0.001).
Conclusion: Visual biofeedback can augment the PR program in stable COPD patients, and it can enhance the outcome even in a home-based rehabilitation program.

Keywords

COPD

Pulmonary rehabilitation programs

Quality of life

Visual biofeedback

Pulmonary indices

Subjects