Effects of home‐based telehealth on the physical condition and psychological status of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract Aims This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of home‐based telehealth compared with usual care on six‐minute walking distance (6MWD), health‐related quality of life, anxiety and depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods We identified randomized controlled trials through a systematic multidatabase search. Titles and abstracts were assessed for relevance. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias and quality of evidence. Meta‐analyses were conducted using Review Manager and Stata. Results We included 32 randomized controlled trials ( n = 5232). Devices used for home‐based telehealth interventions included telephones, videos, and combined devices. The quality of the evidence was downgraded due to high risk of bias, imprecision, and inconsistency. Home‐based telehealth significantly increased 6MWD by 35 m (SD = 30.42) and reduced symptom burden by 3 points (SD = −2.30) on the COPD assessment test compared with usual care. However, no significant differences in anxiety and depression were noted between the home‐based telehealth group and the standard care group. In subgroup analysis, home‐based telehealth significantly improved 6MWD and health status after 6–12 months and >12 months. Conclusion Low quality evidence showed that home‐based telehealth interventions reduce symptom burden and increase walking distance to a clinically meaningful extent in patients with COPD. However, no effects on depression and anxiety were observed.