TY  - JOUR
AU  - Frisk, Bente
AU  - Njøten, Kiri Lovise
AU  - Aarli, Bernt
AU  - Hystad, Sigurd William
AU  - Rykken, Sidsel
AU  - Kjosås, Ane
AU  - Søfteland, Eirik
AU  - Kvale, Gerd
PY  - 2022
DA  - 2022/10/26
TI  - A Novel Concentrated, Interdisciplinary Group Rehabilitation Program for Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Protocol for a Nonrandomized Clinical Intervention Study
JO  - JMIR Res Protoc
SP  - e40700
VL  - 11
IS  - 10
KW  - COPD
KW  - pulmonary rehabilitation
KW  - chronic illness
KW  - interdisciplinary
KW  - chronic disease
KW  - rehabilitation model
KW  - rehabilitation
KW  - treatment
KW  - group therapy
KW  - patient outcome
KW  - health intervention
KW  - pulmonary disease
KW  - intervention study
AB  - 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 
SN  - 1929-0748
UR  - https://www.researchprotocols.org/2022/10/e40700
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/40700
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36287602
DO  - 10.2196/40700
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/40700
ER  -