Feasibility of a telehealth breathing intervention for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a restrictive chronic lung disease that results in scarring of the tissue due to an unknown cause. Dyspnea is experienced by 90 % of patients and is correlated with reduced quality of life and survival times. Breathing techniques can improve perceived dyspnea, however, are not readily taught outside of inpatient hospital settings and pulmonary rehabilitation programs, the latter being accessed by only 3 % of patients with chronic lung disease. Telehealth may be an option to increase access to this imperative symptom management education to improve symptom management and patient outcomes.