Accepted for/Published in: JMIR mHealth and uHealth
Date Submitted: Aug 16, 2020
Date Accepted: Dec 10, 2020
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited.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.
WeChat as a Platform for Baduanjin Intervention in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: Feasibility Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a crucial part of the nonpharmacological treatment of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but management is always a problem. WeChat could serve as a useful tool in patient management.
Objective:
This study is to explore the efficiency of WeChat in the management of Baduanjin exercise in COPD patients.
Methods:
All 200 patients participated in the Baduanjin rehabilitation project. The patients were randomised to the WeChat and control groups and followed up using the WeChat platform or telephone for 12 weeks each. The frequency of Baduanjin exercise, lung function, and CAT score were collected and compared between the two groups. The number of message exchanges and satisfaction survey in the WeChat platform were used for patient to assess the feasibility of the WeChat management outside the hospital.
Results:
The Baduanjin exercise frequency was significantly different between different groups (control group vs WeChat group) (F = 33.82; P < 0.001), and also was significantly different between various time points (F = 214.87; P < 0.001). The FEV1% pred value was significantly different before and after Baduanjin exercise in the control group (Z=-3.686; P<0.001) or WeChat group (Z=-6.985; P<0.001). A significant difference was found in the FEV1% pred values after Baduanjin exercise between the two groups (Z=-3.679; P<0.001). The CAT score was significantly different before and after Baduanjin exercise in the control group (Z=-4.937; P<0.001) or WeChat group (Z=-5.246; P<0.001). A significant difference was found in the CAT score after Baduanjin exercise between the two groups (Z=-5.246; P< 0.001). The number of accomplished Baduanjin exercises, lung function and CAT score in these active patients were higher than those in the non-active patients. All satisfaction survey items were scored with more than 4 points. Among them, the highest score (4.54±0.77) was continued WeChat management and the second was the effective management of Baduanjin exercise (4.46±0.87).The patients in the WeChat group showed much higher enthusiasm and compliance to perform Baduanjin, yielding a better life quality and lung function. The patients were very satisfied with WeChat management because of the obvious curative effect and home feeling.
Conclusions:
The WeChat platform supplied a feasible, effective and sustainable management plan for Baduanjin rehabilitation.
Citation
