Self-management Digital Intervention to Promote Physical Activity in People Living With COPD

Self-management Digital Intervention to Promote Physical Activity in People Living With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Study Protocol

The goal of this pilot randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a theory-based self-management digital intervention (Respir'air BPCO) designed to promote physical activity in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) after completion of a pulmonary rehabilitation program.

The main question it aims to answer is:

Is the Respir'air BPCO intervention (mobile app) feasible, acceptable, and preliminarily effective in increasing physical activity, enhancing self-management, improving motivation, and quality of life, while reducing dyspnea severity, exacerbations, and hospitalizations, compared with no additional intervention?

Researchers will compare an experimental group (receiving the Respir'air BPCO intervention + usual care) to a control group (no additional intervention, only usual care)

Participants will:

Be assigned either to the control group, receiving no additional intervention beyond usual care (traditional pulmonologist follow-up), or to the experimental group, receiving access to the Respir'air BPCO mobile app in addition to usual care.

• Complete baseline assessments immediately after finishing their in-person pulmonary rehabilitation program.
• Complete follow-up assessments at 3 months and 6 months after the start of the intervention

Inclusion Criteria:

1. a GOLD COPD diagnosis stage 1 to 4, classification B or E;
2. admitted electively at Hospital for PR;
3. had completed the pulmonary rehabilitation program;
4. age over 18 years;
5. ability to provide informed consent;
6. internet access;
7. ownership of a smartphone or tablet;
8. self-assessed perceived ease of use of digital devices.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. clinical instability confirmed by the team of healthcare professionals;
2. severe cardiovascular disease confirmed by medical diagnosis;
3. recent history of neoplasia or autoimmune disease; other physical activity-limiting clinical condition confirmed by medical diagnosis (e.g. neurological disease);
4. other respiratory disease as primary diagnosis; e) inability to read, understand or speak French;

f) cognitive impairment diagnosed by the medical team.