BackgroundSocially assistive robots are being developed for patients to help manage chronic health conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Adherence to medication and availability of rehabilitation are suboptimal in this patient group, which increases the risk of hospitalization.ObjectiveThis pilot study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a robot delivering telehealth care to increase adherence to medication and home rehabilitation, improve quality of life, and reduce hospital readmission compared with a standard care control group.MethodsAt discharge from hospital for a COPD admission, 60 patients were randomized to receive a robot at home for 4 months or to a control group. Number of hospitalization days for respiratory admissions over the 4-month study period was the primary outcome. Medication adherence, frequency of rehabilitation exercise, and quality of life were also assessed. Implementation interviews as well as benefit-cost analysis were conducted.ResultsIntention-to-treat and per protocol analyses showed no significant differences in the number of respiratory-related hospitalizations between groups. The intervention group was more adherent to their long-acting inhalers (mean number of prescribed puffs taken per day=48.5%) than the control group (mean 29.5%, P=.03, d=0.68) assessed via electronic recording. Self-reported adherence was also higher in the intervention group after controlling for covariates (P=.04). The intervention group increased their rehabilitation exercise frequency compared with the control group (mean difference −4.53, 95% CI −7.16 to −1.92). There were no significant differences in quality of life. Of the 25 patients who had the robot, 19 had favorable attitudes.ConclusionsThis pilot study suggests that a homecare robot can improve adherence to medication and increase exercise. Further research is needed with a larger sample size to further investigate effects on hospitalizations after improvements are made to the robots. The robots could be especially useful for patients struggling with adherence.Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12615000259549; http://www.anzctr.org.au (Archived by WebCite at  http://www.webcitation.org/6whIjptLS)

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The aims of this study were to compare the effect of bubble-positive expiratory pressure with a commercial positive expiratory pressure device and standardised physiotherapy in patients with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and to assess the feasibility of inpatient research methods. Patients admitted to a medical ward at Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand, with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were randomly assigned to a treatment group. Participants undertook one supervised treatment, then independently completed two further sessions. Participants' symptoms and ease of sputum expectoration were measured using the Breathlessness, Cough and Sputum Scale. Health-related quality of life and length of hospital stay were also recorded. Only eleven participants were recruited, over ten months. The study was, therefore, underpowered to show differences in end points. Useful findings were uncovered relating to the feasibility of the protocol. Limitations to the recruitment process were identified, including staffing issues and the assessment schedule. Findings from this study will enable revision of the study protocol to allow a modified trial to be performed in the future. B, Jepsen N, Coulter K, Wong C, Zeng I (2016) Challenges of undertaking a clinical trial using bubble-PEP in an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A feasibility study. Eastwood

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BackgroundBronchiectasis is a worsening public health problem in New Zealand. This study aimed to explore the health care experiences of mothers of children with bronchiectasis in the Counties Manukau District Health Board area of Auckland, New Zealand.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were undertaken with ten mothers of children with bronchiectasis. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsFive themes emerged: 1) Searching for answers, describing mothers’ search for a diagnosis; 2) (Dis)empowerment, describing mothers’ acquisition of knowledge, leading to empowerment; 3) Health care and relationships, describing the impact of relationships on the mother’s health care experiences; 4) A juggling act, describing the challenges of juggling health care with school, work and family; 5) Making it work, describing how mothers overcome barriers to access health care for their child.ConclusionsThe health provider-parent relationship was crucial for fostering positive health care experiences. Mothers’ acquisition of knowledge facilitated empowerment within those relationships. Additionally, mothers’ perceptions of the quality and benefit of health services motivated them to overcome barriers to accessing care. Study findings may help to improve health care experiences for parents of children with bronchiectasis if identified issues are addressed.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-018-3532-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.