Edinburgh Napier University

  Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is a crucial component of COPD management, access to programmes can be difficult, reduced attendance, high dropouts and low completion rates are common. MyCOPD is an example of how digital technology could potentially be used with COPD patients.

Methods: This pilot assessed the usefulness of the My COPD app. The study aimed to recruit 30 patients eligible for PR. Basic characteristics were recorded at assessment, and data was collected at 3 and 6 months.

Results: 26 participants were recruited (Aug-Dec 2020) (15M 11F; 57±9.2 years; 10 current smokers, 15 ex/non-smokers, CAT Score 16.5±7.28). At three months there was no significant change in CAT score (n=15, 15.9±7.00), less than half of the participants (11/26, 42.3%) had used the PR component of the app, despite specific recommendations from the healthcare professionals. Few had used the educational course component (6/26, 23.1%). Completion of the education component ranged from 6-100%, with 2 participants completing. Just over 80% participated in the three-month telephone follow-up, of these 61.5% (16/26) reported using the app in the 3 month period, the amount of usage varied. The pulmonary rehabilitation videos were found to be the most helpful (6/16, 37.5%) compared to the inhaler videos (18.8%) and the educational section (12.5%). Nearly two-thirds (62.5% 10/16) reported a subjective improvement in their activities of daily living. Feedback was mixed, with some finding app very useful and others reporting they had hardly used it or had difficulties using content or device.

Conclusions: The app had mixed feedback. Participants need some guidance and support to regularly use the app well.