title: Self-management support using an Internet-linked tablet computer (the EDGE platform)-based intervention in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: protocol for the EDGE-COPD randomised controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The potential for telehealth-based interventions to provide remote support, education and improve self-management for long-term conditions is increasingly recognised. This trial aims to determine whether an intervention delivered through an easy-to-use tablet computer can improve the quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by providing personalised self-management information and education.
  
  
  METHODS
  The EDGE (sElf management anD support proGrammE) for COPD is a multicentre, randomised controlled trial designed to assess the efficacy of an Internet-linked tablet computer-based intervention (the EDGE platform) in improving quality of life in patients with moderate to very severe COPD compared with usual care. Eligible patients are randomly allocated to receive the tablet computer-based intervention or usual care in a 2:1 ratio using a web-based randomisation system. Participants are recruited from respiratory outpatient clinics and pulmonary rehabilitation courses as well as from those recently discharged from hospital with a COPD-related admission and from primary care clinics. Participants allocated to the tablet computer-based intervention complete a daily symptom diary and record clinical symptoms using a Bluetooth-linked pulse oximeter. Participants allocated to receive usual care are provided with all the information given to those allocated to the intervention but without the use of the tablet computer or the facility to monitor their symptoms or physiological variables. The primary outcome of quality of life is measured using the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire for COPD patients (SGRQ-C) baseline, 6 and 12 months. Secondary outcome measures are recorded at these intervals in addition to 3 months.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The Research Ethics Committee for Berkshire-South Central has provided ethical approval for the conduct of the study in the recruiting regions. The results of the study will be disseminated through peer review publications and conference presentations.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Current controlled trials ISRCTN40367841.
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farmer
authors.forename: Christy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Toms
authors.forename: Maxine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hardinge
authors.forename: Veronika
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rutter
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tarassenko
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003201:Computers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*
keywords: PRIMARY CARE; RESPIRATORY MEDICINE (see Thoracic Medicine)