Currently submitted to: JMIR Aging
Date Submitted: Oct 30, 2026
Open Peer Review Period: Nov 1, 2026 - Dec 27, 2026
(currently open for review)
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Evaluate the Usability and Effectiveness of a Web-Based Health Intervention Module within the SLH-COPD Platform for Older Adults with COPD in China: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) face significant self-management challenges. Digital interventions tailored to their usability needs and grounded in behavioral theory remain scarce in China. This study evaluates a web-based health intervention module embedded within the SLH-COPD platform, specifically adapted for this population.
Objective:
To evaluate the usability and effectiveness of the SLH-COPD platform on self-management, health literacy, social support, and acute exacerbations among older adults with COPD.
Methods:
This single-blind randomized controlled trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-25-333181). Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to an intervention group receiving the web-based health intervention module via the SLH-COPD platform or a control group receiving standard health education. The intervention module provided structured COPD self-management education, symptom and exacerbation monitoring, medication and breathing exercise guidance, and peer or nurse-supported feedback] over 3 months. Allocation was generated by computer-generated simple randomization, concealed using sequentially opened sealed opaque envelopes, and outcome assessors were blinded. Primary outcomes included self-management and acute exacerbations at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. Secondary outcomes included COPD knowledge, social support, and system usability (intervention group only).
Results:
A total of 115 participants were enrolled. Compared with controls, the intervention group showed significant improvements in self-management, social support, and health literacy, alongside reduced acute exacerbations at 3 months (all p < 0.001). The platform achieved a mean SUS score of 72.76 (SD = 9.97), indicating high usability.
Conclusions:
The theory-based, age-friendly SLH-COPD module demonstrates high usability and effectiveness in improving self-management and reducing exacerbations among older Chinese adults with COPD, effectively bridging the digital divide. Clinical Trial: This single-blind randomized controlled trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-25-333181)
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