title: Tablet computers to support outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A minicomputer (tablet) with instructions and a training diary has the potential of facilitating adherence to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of adding a tablet to a classic outpatient PR programme for COPD patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 115 patients participated in a 7- to 10-week outpatient PR programme in groups of 10-12 individuals. Half of the groups were assigned to PR plus a tablet (tablet group) and the other groups were assigned to PR only (controls). Primary effect parameters were endurance shuttle walk time (ESWT) and disease-specific health status (COPD Assessment Test=CAT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The change in ESWT was significantly better in the control group (mean 167 sec) compared with the tablet group (mean 51 sec) (p<0.01), whereas the change in CAT score did not differ significantly between the two groups (-0.6 vs. -2.3) (p=0.17).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with usual PR, no significant improvements were seen in the group equipped with the tablet after 7-10 weeks of rehabilitation. Future studies should focus on long-term effects.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Department, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; thomasringbaek@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Ringbaek
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Department, Nordsjællands Hospital, Hilleroed, Denmark.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lavesen
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Department, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lange
keywords: COPD; outcome; pulmonary rehabilitation; quality of life; technology; telemonitoring