Community-based pulmonary rehabilitation in a non-healthcare facility is feasible and effective.
Pulmonary rehabilitation programs (PRPs) are most commonly provided in hospital settings which present barriers to attendance such as long distances or travel times. Community-based settings have been used in an attempt to alleviate the travel burden. This study evaluated the feasibility and outcomes of a network of community-based PRPs provided in non-healthcare facilities (CPRPs). The CPRPs were established in five venues and comprised two supervised group sessions each week for 8 weeks. Participant inclusion criteria and guidelines for exercise testing and training were developed to reduce the risk of adverse events. Outcome measures included 6-min walk distance (6MWD) and health-related quality of life (chronic respiratory questionnaire (CRQ)). Respiratory-related hospital admission data were collected in the 12 months prior to and following the program. Two hundred and fifty-one participants (79% with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: mean ± SD FEV149 ± 21%predicted) entered a CPRP of which 166 (66%) completed. Improvements were demonstrated in 6MWD (mean difference (95% CI) 44 m (37-52)) and total CRQ score (0.5 points per item (0.4-0.7)). Fewer participants had a respiratory-related hospital admission following the program (12% vs. 37%, p < 0.0001). Pulmonary rehabilitation is safe, feasible and effective when conducted in community-based non-healthcare facilities.
1 Department of Physiotherapy, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.|2 Community Physiotherapy Services, North Metropolitan Health Service Ambulatory Care, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Nola
N
Cecins
2 Community Physiotherapy Services, North Metropolitan Health Service Ambulatory Care, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Holly
H
Landers
1 Department of Physiotherapy, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.|3 Institute for Respiratory Health, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.
Sue
S
Jenkins
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003153:Community Health Services; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006304:Health Status; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014797:Vital Capacity; D000070857:Walk Test; D014904:Western Australia
Community; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; lung disease; pulmonary rehabilitation