A new study has shown the promising potential of a digital, community-based intervention in managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), highlighting its feasibility and positive impact on patient outcomes. The study, called the Healthy at Home trial, was led by researchers from the UMass Chan Medical School Program in Digital Medicine and published in BMC Pilot and Feasibility Studies and BMC Digital Health.
The study focused on using a multimodal, mobile healthcare approach to reduce illness-related distress for patients with COPD. A preprint study published in medRxiv reported that participants in the program were less likely to be hospitalized and had a 61% decreased risk of readmission within 30 days of discharge, compared to those who did not participate in the program. Additionally, participants saw trends toward fewer emergency department visits and shorter hospital stays.
COPD is a leading cause of death and healthcare costs in the United States, and the findings from this study suggest that the Healthy at Home program can make a significant difference. Principal investigator Dr. Apurv Soni expressed surprise at the level of impact the program had, stating, “We did not anticipate that it would be this impactful. We just wanted to demonstrate proof of concept.”
The intervention incorporated several innovative components, including home-based mobile health services, 24/7 physician-supervised in-home care provided by paramedics, a digital health dashboard that tracked biometric data from wearable sensors, and virtual-first COPD management that included virtual pulmonary rehabilitation, health coaching, and monitoring via connected devices.
Over the course of 18 months, 100 COPD patients at risk for acute care were enrolled in the study, with a 96% retention rate over six months. The integration of digital tools such as wearable devices and mobile health apps with in-home clinical services was a key feature, providing comprehensive monitoring and treatment outside of traditional healthcare settings.
Due to the promising results, the program is now offered as standard care for eligible COPD patients at UMass Memorial Health through its Digital Health Clinic. The success of the Healthy at Home study has sparked interest in expanding digital health solutions for COPD patients, especially considering the limited availability of traditional pulmonary rehabilitation centers. Dr. Soni emphasized the importance of using technology to make healthcare more accessible, especially for the millions of COPD patients in the U.S.
The study’s success has also paved the way for a new nationwide clinical trial comparing in-person pulmonary rehab with telepulmonary rehab. This trial, which includes input from Healthy at Home participants, is funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.
The early findings of the study signal a new era in COPD care, one that harnesses technology to improve patient outcomes, reduce hospitalizations, and make care more accessible for a population with significant health needs.
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