Key result
Telerehabilitation improves 6-minute walk distance by ~26 m vs center-based rehabilitation in COPD patients.
Why the study?
Pulmonary rehabilitation improves COPD outcomes but faces poor accessibility and completion, making it essential to evaluate whether remote telerehabilitation maintains efficacy compared with center-based programs.
Does telerehabilitation improve functional capacity and quality of life compared to center-based pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD patients?
Meta-Analysis (n=1,726)
Does telerehabilitation improve functional capacity and quality of life compared to center-based pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD patients?
Effect estimate: mean difference 25.52 m (95% CI 9.48-41.56)
p-value: p=<0.01
Telerehabilitation is an effective alternative to center-based pulmonary rehabilitation for improving functional capacity and quality of life in COPD patients.
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Supports telerehabilitation over center-based programs for functional gains; extends prior evidence with a large multicenter RCT.
Mahapatra et al. (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in COPD (n=1,726). Telerehabilitation vs. Center-based pulmonary rehabilitation was evaluated on 6-minute walk distance (mean difference 25.52 m, 95% CI 9.48-41.56, p=<0.01). Telerehabilitation significantly improved 6-minute walk distance (mean difference 25.52 m; 95% CI 9.48-41.56; p<0.01) compared with center-based rehabilitation in patients with COPD.
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