Using Telehealth to Ease COPD Symptoms

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New research from Duke University shows telehealth sessions may help reduce symptoms associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, and improve quality of life. The study, INSPIRE-II, was conducted over a 5 year period at Duke University Health System and The Ohio State University. One group of 147 patients with COPD was provided with counseling by a psychologist over the phone on stress management and relaxation techniques. A second (control) group of 151 patients with COPD received only medication and nutrition counseling. According to the article on the website Pharmacy Times, “by the conclusion of the study, those who received information on managing reactions to stressful events reported improvements in depression, anxiety, fatigue, and shortness of breath compared with control subjects” (Pharmacy Times, 2014).

The article goes on to say that there was no difference in hospitalization or deaths caused by COPD between the two groups of patients.

Although this study did not explore telehealth directly related to dietetics, it is still promising to see that telehealth was effective in delivering healthcare. Telehealth is a relatively new concept, so it is great for healthcare practitioners who are adopting this technique to approach it with an evidence-based background.


Pharmacy Times. (9, October 2014). Telehealth stress management intervention may reduce COPD symptoms. Retrieved from http://www.pharmacytimes.com/news/Telehealth-Stress-Management-Intervention-May-Reduce-COPD-Symptoms

SH

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