Study shows major knowledge gap for improving uptake and completion of pulmonary rehabilitation in people living with COPD

A new article published online in ERJ Open Research, ‘Systematic review of interventions to improve patient uptake and completion of pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD’, shows there is insufficient evidence to guide clinical practice on interventions for improving patient uptake and completion of pulmonary rehabilitation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The review team were researchers from the Lincoln Institute for Health, and colleagues at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust and De Montfort University.

This review was developed as part the Lincolnshire Joint Research Agenda on COPD, a project funded by the University of Lincoln Research Investment Fund.  This project consisted of a series of workshops between academics and NHS representatives to identify the research priorities in COPD. One of the best ways to manage COPD is programme of exercise and education called pulmonary rehabilitation. Although the beneficial effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on physical and psychological condition of people living with COPD are well established, patient uptake and completion of the treatment is poor.

This new review highlights an under-appreciation of interventional trials in the area. A search of electronic databases and trial registers found only previous study that had evaluated the effect of an intervention to improve patient uptake and completion. The lack of evidence of beneficial interventions in this area will act as a major limitation for any healthcare services planning to address continuing challenges around patient uptake/completion of pulmonary rehabilitation.

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