Grant: Catalyst Grant: eHealth Innovations

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a recommended exercise and education treatment for individuals with chronic lung disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It improves physical fitness and quality of life, and reduces shortness of breath. Despite these benefits, only 2% of Canadians with COPD have access to a pulmonary rehabilitation program in their community. Smartphone technology may provide a solution. We propose a study to develop and evaluate a smartphone system for pulmonary rehabilitation that will enable patients to exercise in their own community. Patients will use the same monitoring tools as the hospital-based programs but will be able to exercise in their own community when it is convenient for them. This project has the potential to increase the access to this important health care service for patients with COPD and other chronic lung diseases.