Comparing telehealth and onsite exercise programs for chronic lung disease patients

Comparison of Telehealth and Onsite Supervised Maintenance Exercise Program for Adults With Chronic Lung Disease: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional MGH Institute of Health Professions · NCT06304207

This study is testing whether an 8-week exercise program delivered online or in person helps adults with chronic lung disease feel better and improve their quality of life after finishing traditional rehab.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages40 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMGH Institute of Health Professions Academic / other
Locations1 site (Charlestown, Massachusetts)
Trial IDNCT06304207 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week supervised maintenance exercise program delivered either onsite or via telehealth for adults with Chronic Lung Disease. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: tele-rehab, onsite outpatient rehabilitation, or a control group with no maintenance. The study will assess clinical outcomes such as dyspnea, exercise capacity, physical function, physical activity, and quality of life at 8 weeks and 4 months post-intervention. The goal is to determine which method of delivery is more beneficial for patients following discharge from traditional rehabilitation programs.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 40 and older with a physician-diagnosed Chronic Lung Disease who have recently completed a traditional rehabilitation program.

Not a fit: Patients with significant mobility limitations or those who primarily rely on a wheelchair for mobility may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a more accessible and effective maintenance exercise option for patients with Chronic Lung Disease.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with telehealth interventions for chronic conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* All adult patients 40 years and older with physician diagnosed Chronic Lung Disease within 2 months of discharge following completion of a traditional onsite outpatient rehabilitation or physical therapy or exercise program for their condition
* Able to walk independently with or without mobility devices
* Able to complete a six-minute walk test at discharge with or without supplemental oxygen maintaining an oxygen saturation at or above 85%
* Able to follow commands and instructions in the English language
* Have ability to connect to the internet

Exclusion Criteria:

* • Those with significant mobility limitations such as those with a history of stroke, neurological comorbidities such as Parkinson's disease or relapsing multiple sclerosis, or significant degenerative osteoarthritis, or any other joint impairments that compromise ability to walk independently with or without an assistive device.

  * Patients who primarily rely on a wheelchair for mobility
  * Patients with or without supplemental oxygen who are unable to complete a walking test without a drop in oxygen saturation to below 85% at discharge from traditional outpatient rehabilitation
  * Patients with baseline hemodynamic compromise, unstable angina, a recent myocardial infarction within a week, uncontrollable atrial fibrillation not managed with medications, advanced stage heart failure (New York Heart Association class 4), or those with mechanical circulatory assist devices for the heart such a ventricular assist device (VADs)
  * Inability to communicate in the English language

Where this trial is running

Charlestown, Massachusetts

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions CopdCOPD ExacerbationCOPD BronchitisEmphysema or COPDChronic Lung DiseasePulmonary FibrosisInterstitial Lung DiseaseBronchiectasis
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.