Evaluation of an app-based rehabilitation aftercare program focusing on physical activity promotion for persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Results of a pilot study Evaluation einer appbasierten Reha-Nachsorge (AReNa) mit Schwerpunkt Bewegungsförderung nach COPD-Rehabilitation: Ergebnisse einer Pilotstudie

Hartung V, Tallner A, Limbach M, Schultz K, Pfeifer K (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Rehabilitation Georg Thieme Verlag

DOI: 10.1055/a-2705-1784

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate an app-based follow-up care program for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) post-rehabilitation. Methods After a 3-week inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation, a 12-week app-based follow-up care program was conducted. The app-based program was based on the model of physical activity-related health competence. The core components were: (1) personalized endurance and resistance training plans, (2) activity monitors for self-monitoring, (3) e-learning modules, and (4) 1:1 coaching by sports therapists and physiotherapists of the rehabilitation clinic. The following outcomes were assessed with questionnaires at the start and the end of rehabilitation as well as after follow-up care: COPD Assessment Test, quality of life, depression, anxiety, fatigue, key symptoms of COPD, pain, sport-/exercise-related activities, leisure-time/ transportation physical activity, physical activity-related health competence, and experiences with the follow-up care. An exploratory analysis examined changes in outcomes during rehabilitation and follow-up care (Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, α < 0.05). Experiences with the follow-up care were analyzed descriptively. Results 42 participants (age: M = 57.5; SD = 5.6; BMI: M = 29.1; SD = 6.5; GOLD stage 1/2/3/4: 2.4 %/50.0 %/38.1 %/9.5 %) provided data at all measurement time points. Except for leisure-time/transportation physical activity and partnership-related anxiety, the outcomes improved significantly during rehabilitation. Exercise-induced dyspnea (d = −0.45) as well as the sub-competencies of physical activity-related health competence (movement competence: d = −0.69; control competence: d = −0.68; self-regulation competence: d = −0.80) showed further improvements during follow-up care. Sport- and exercise-related activity (d = −1.28) and sputum quantity (d = −0.64) improved during rehabilitation, but deteriorated during followup care (sport-/exercise related activity: d = −0.52; sputum quantity: d = −0.55). However, the values of sport- and exercise-related activity after follow-up care were higher than at the beginning of rehabilitation (d = −0.65). App-usability and the atmosphere during aftercare were high. Conclusion The effects of pulmonary rehabilitation were maintained or further improved in most outcomes over the course of the app-based intervention. These findings provide initial indications of the efficacy of the developed app-based followup care program.

Authors with CRIS profile

Verena Hartung Department Sportwissenschaft und Sport (GB Lehre) Alexander Tallner Department Sportwissenschaft und Sport (GB Lehre) Klaus Pfeifer Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit dem Schwerpunkt Bewegung und Gesundheit

Involved external institutions

Klinik Bad Reichenhall DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Hartung, V., Tallner, A., Limbach, M., Schultz, K., & Pfeifer, K. (2026). Evaluation of an app-based rehabilitation aftercare program focusing on physical activity promotion for persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Results of a pilot study Evaluation einer appbasierten Reha-Nachsorge (AReNa) mit Schwerpunkt Bewegungsförderung nach COPD-Rehabilitation: Ergebnisse einer Pilotstudie. Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2705-1784

MLA:

Hartung, Verena, et al. "Evaluation of an app-based rehabilitation aftercare program focusing on physical activity promotion for persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Results of a pilot study Evaluation einer appbasierten Reha-Nachsorge (AReNa) mit Schwerpunkt Bewegungsförderung nach COPD-Rehabilitation: Ergebnisse einer Pilotstudie." Rehabilitation (2026).

BibTeX: Download