Evaluating an Intervention Program Using WeChat for Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundThe application of telemedicine in home pulmonary rehabilitation interventions for the management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has achieved promising results. ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop a WeChat official account (Pulmonary Internet Explorer Rehabilitation [PeR]) based on social media. It further evaluated the effect of PeR on the quality of life, symptoms, and exercise self-efficacy of patients with COPD. MethodsThe functional modules of PeR were developed by a multidisciplinary team according to the electronic health–enhanced chronic care model (eCCM) components. A total of 106 patients were randomly selected (53 in the PeR group and 53 in the outpatient face-to-face group [FtF]). Pulmonary rehabilitation intervention was conducted for 3 months, and the outcome was observed for 3 months. The primary outcome was patient quality of life measured with the COPD assessment test (CAT). The secondary outcomes were evaluated using the modified Medical Research Council scale (mMRC), exercise self-regulatory efficacy scale (Ex-SRES), and St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). ResultsThe intention-to-treat analysis was used in the study. A total of 94 participants completed the 6-month pulmonary rehabilitation program. No statistically significant differences were observed in CAT (F1,3=7.78, P=.001), Ex-SRES (F1,3=21.91, P