A Novel Concentrated, Interdisciplinary Group Rehabilitation Program for Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Protocol for a Nonrandomized Clinical Intervention Study

Abstract

Background Pulmonary rehabilitation has been demonstrated to be a highly effective treatment for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, its availability is scarce worldwide, and new and innovative rehabilitation models are highly warranted. Recently, the group behind the present study published a protocol describing a novel concentrated, interdisciplinary group rehabilitation program for patients with chronic illnesses. The current paper describes an extension of this protocol to patients with COPD. Objective The objective of this study is to explore the acceptability of concentrated, interdisciplinary group pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with COPD. The intervention is expected to improve functional status and be highly acceptable to patients. Methods This study will include 50 patients aged over 40 years who fulfill the diagnostic criteria for COPD: a forced expiratory volume at the first second (FEV1) <80% of expected and a FEV1/forced vital capacity ratio below the lower limit of normal according to the Global Lung Function Initiative. An interdisciplinary team consisting of physicians, physiotherapists, psychologists, pharmacists, clinical nutritionists, and nurses will deliver the treatment to groups of 6 to 10 patients over 3 to 4 consecutive days with a 12-month follow-up. The intervention is divided into three distinct phases: (1) pretreatment preparation for change, (2) concentrated rehabilitation, where the patient is coached to focus on making health-promoting microchoices, and (3) integration of the changes into everyday living, aided by digital follow-up and 2 on-site clinical examinations. Statistical significance will be set at α=.05. Results The recruitment period will last from April 2022 until June 2023. Conclusions If successful, this highly novel rehabilitation format might change the way we deliver care for patients with COPD, leading to substantial societal and socioeconomic gains. The study will expand knowledge on the concentrated treatment format as a rehabilitation model for people with COPD. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05234281; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05234281 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/40700

Concentrated transdiagnostic and cross-disciplinary micro-choice based group treatment for patients with depression and with anxiety leads to lasting improvements after 12 months: a pilot study

“…This pilot study is part of the “Project Development of Smarter Health Solutions” (PUSH project), a collaboration between Haukeland University Hospital (Bergen, Norway) and Helse i Hardanger (HiH; Kvam, Norway). HiH delivers concentrated treatment to patients with chronic low-back pain, diabetes type 2, long COVID without acute improvement, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease condition as well as to patients with chronic anxiety and depression [ 6 , 13 , 14 ]. The first trans-diagnostic experiences with this group rehabilitation showed that treatment satisfaction was high across all illness groups (low back pain, long COVID and type 2 diabetes), functionality was improved, and illness perception had positively changed [ 15 ].…”

First trans-diagnostic experiences with a novel micro-choice based concentrated group rehabilitation for patients with low back pain, long COVID, and type 2 diabetes: a pilot study

“…Based on existing treatment guidelines [ 3 – 5 ], we have developed a novel approach to deliver interdisciplinary group intervention for chronic health illnesses [ 8 , 9 ]. One of the main features is a shift in focus, from targeting symptoms to targeting and monitoring seemingly mundane everyday micro-choices that facilitate increased levels of functioning [ 8 ].…”