mHealth
Can an app plus Fitbit help COPD activity after rehab?
Open access · cc by · source: Europe PMC
In a 30-person feasibility RCT, SMART-COPD plus a Fitbit was usable for some COPD patients after pulmonary rehab, but 47% withdrew—often because the tech was hard to use.
Study at a glance
- Design
- RCT — Randomized feasibility RCT of SMART-COPD app + Fitbit vs control during pulmonary rehabilitation and 8-week maintenance
- N
- N=30 · 30 adults with COPD randomized 19:11 to SMART-COPD vs control; 47% (14/30) withdrew
- Population
- People with COPD undertaking pulmonary rehabilitation, using a smartphone app and activity tracker
- Outcome
- Feasibility/acceptability of SMART-COPD and viability of a future effectiveness RCT (questionnaires, activity, interviews)
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Key findings
14/30 (47%) withdrew; completers had better baseline health and more prior digital experience. Completers were generally positive and some felt activity goals were easier. Activity tracking and self-report were problematic outcomes; simplicity beat personalization.
Methodology
Randomized 30 people with COPD to SMART-COPD (n=19) or control (n=11), used the app and Fitbit through pulmonary rehabilitation and 8 weeks of maintenance, and collected questionnaires, activity data, and interviews.
Limitations
This feasibility sample cannot prove SMART-COPD improves COPD outcomes; high dropout and messy activity measures block a simple effectiveness claim.
How this study connects
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