Is Home-based Pulmonary Rehabilitation a Viable Alternative to Center-based Program in COPD Patients in India? A Nonrandomized Interventional Study

population.8 Thus, since the last 30 years, researchers started exploring the benefits of conducting PR at home, with studies demonstrating that home-based PR (HBPR) improved QoL as much IntroductIonAs of 2019, the worldwide prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was roughly 392 million people, with 37.8 million living in India.1,2 Prior to 1950, patients with COPD were advised to rest, and physical exercise was discouraged, fearing worsening of symptoms.3,4 In 1952, scientists observed that exercise improved physical fitness in COPD patients.4 Subsequently, in 1969, pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) was described for the first time as a comprehensive, multidisciplinary program with patient-tailored exercises, breathing techniques, and measures of bronchial hygiene.4 Over the next few decades, research into the effectiveness of PR in COPD patients was conducted across many countries showing that PR improves dyspnea and quality of life (QoL).5 This led major international guidelines to recommend PR as a cornerstone of COPD management.6 Pulmonary rehabilitation is usually provided at dedicated centers having facilities of physiotherapist, nutritionist, and psychologist, and exercises are done under supervision.7 But, the limited number of PR centers cannot cater to the vast COPD 1-