title: Feasibility study of a sensor-based autonomous load control exercise training system for COPD patients.
abstract: Decision support systems (DSSs) which are able to automatically supervise and control physical exercise training of patients affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are regarded as a novel method to promote rehabilitation. The objective of our research work for this paper was to evaluate the feasibility of a rule-based DSS for autonomous bicycle ergometer training of COPD patients. Load control is based on real-time analysis of sensor parameters oxygen saturation and heart rate. Ten COPD patients have participated in a study, performing altogether 18 training sessions. On average, 7.4 rules were fired in each training session. Four sessions had to be stopped for different reasons. The average ergometer training load ranged between 31 and 47 W. The average percentage of heart rate in or lower than the intended target zone was 45.9 and 41.6%, respectively. The average patient-perceived Borg value was 12.6±2.4. Patients reported a high satisfaction for the automatically controlled training. With the help of the DSS, patients may change their training place from a rehabilitation center to their own homes. More studies are needed to assess long-term clinical and motivational effects of the DSS in home environment.
authors.affiliation: Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics, University of Braunschweig - Institute of Technology and Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Bianying
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gietzelt
authors.forename: Reinhold
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Haux
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kohlmann
authors.forename: Mareike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schulze
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tegtbur
authors.forename: Klaus-Hendrik
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marschollek
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index