%0 Journal Article
%T The Feasibility and Validity of a Remote Pulse Oximetry System for Pulmonary Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study
%A Jonathan Tang
%A Allison Mandrusiak
%A Trevor Russell
%J International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications
%D 2012
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2012/798791
%X Pulmonary rehabilitation is an effective treatment for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, access to these services is limited especially in rural and remote areas. Telerehabilitation has the potential to deliver pulmonary rehabilitation programs to these communities. The aim of this study was threefold: to establish the technical feasibility of transmitting real-time pulse oximetry data, determine the validity of remote measurements compared to conventional face-to-face measures, and evaluate the participants¡¯ perception of the usability of the technology. Thirty-seven healthy individuals participated in a single remote pulmonary rehabilitation exercise session, conducted using the eHAB telerehabilitation system. Validity was assessed by comparing the participant's oxygen saturation and heart rate with the data set received at the therapist¡¯s remote location. There was an 80% exact agreement between participant and therapist data sets. The mean absolute difference and Bland and Altman¡¯s limits of agreement fell within the minimum clinically important difference for both oxygen saturation and heart rate values. Participants found the system easy to use and felt confident that they would be able to use it at home. Remote measurement of pulse oximetry data for a pulmonary rehabilitation exercise session was feasible and valid when compared to conventional face-to-face methods. 1. Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease which is characterized by airway obstruction and lung parenchyma destruction. Patients may experience dyspnoea or shortness of breath, a persistent cough with sputum production, decreased exercise tolerance and decreased quality of life [1, 2]. Globally, COPD is the fourth most common cause of death and is predicted by the World Health Organisation to be a major health concern in the coming decade [3]. In Australia, 1.2 million people are estimated to have moderate-to-severe COPD (GOLD stages II¨CIV). However, the true number is potentially much higher as COPD is commonly underdiagnosed [4, 5]. The economic burden of COPD is substantial. The total cost of living with COPD (including nonmonetary costs) is estimated to be $83£¿000 AUD per person each year [6, 7]. As the severity of COPD greatly impacts the cost of care, providing early diagnosis and effective management of the individual is an essential component in reducing its economic impact [5, 8¨C10]. One form of effective treatment is pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). PR is a multidisciplinary approach which incorporates
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijta/2012/798791/