A29-04 Meta-Analysis on the Effectiveness of Home-Based and Tele-Rehabilitation Programs in Interstitial Lung Disease

Rationale Home-based and tele-rehabilitation programs are emerging as feasible alternatives to center-based pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). While narrative reviews exist, no prior meta-analysis has synthesized outcomes from remotely delivered interventions. Methods A systematic search identified randomized controlled trials, pre-post, and cohort studies evaluating home or tele-rehabilitation in ILD. From 488 publications screened (2006-2025), 23 studies met inclusion criteria. Outcomes included physical function (6-minute walk test [6MWT]), health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and respiratory symptoms. Data were extracted and analyzed using standardized protocols in RStudio. Results • Physical Function: 6MWT was the predominant measure; ∼50% of studies showed significant improvement (e.g., +39.5 m, p=0.03; endurance time from 7.4±9.1 to 14.1±12.1 min, p=0.01). Three studies achieved minimal clinically important differences. • HRQoL: Mixed results—5 of 13 studies improved significantly (p<0.05), while others were nonsignificant (e.g., St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire improved, p=0.022; King’s Brief ILD unchanged). • Respiratory Symptoms: Most consistent benefit—7 of 9 studies reported significant reductions in dyspnea/fatigue (p=0.003 to < 0.001). • Safety & Adherence: Adverse events were rare; adherence ranged 20-100%, highest in technology-supported programs. Conclusion Home-based and tele-rehabilitation interventions are safe, feasible, and often improve functional capacity and respiratory symptoms in ILD. Technology-assisted and supervised approaches enhance adherence and clinical benefit, supporting their integration as complementary or alternative models to conventional pulmonary rehabilitation. This abstract is funded by: None