Smartphone delivered social media-based rehabilitation for people with COPD in Thar Desert, India: A feasibility study

Background: Pulmonary telerehabilitation offers an accessible and cost-effective therapy option for patients with chronic respiratory diseases. In the Thar Desert, home to 16.6 million people with a population density of 83 persons per square kilometre, transportation barriers to tertiary care increase the demand for telerehabilitation services. Objective: To assess the feasibility of smartphone and social media–based rehabilitation for COPD patients in the Thar Desert, India. Methods: COPD patients were recruited from a tertiary hospital’s outpatient department. Rehabilitation videos in Hindi were provided through smartphones via social media. Key assessments included the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), EQ-5D-3L, mMRC dyspnoea scale, 6-minute walk test and 30-second sit-to-stand test at baseline and 8 weeks. Usability, acceptability and adherence were measured using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) at 8 weeks, with follow-up on exercise adherence after 1 year. Results: Of the 54 COPD patients assessed, 45 were recruited (mean age 64.18, 86.7% male). Statistically significant improvements (P < 0.05) were observed in mMRC, EQ-5D-3L, CAT and 6-minute walk test scores. High acceptability was noted, with a mean SUS score of 81.5/100 and TAM score of 93.93/128. After 8 weeks, 75.5% of participants were exercising, with 58% maintaining routines 1 year later. Conclusion: Smartphone-based pulmonary telerehabilitation is feasible for COPD patients in the Thar Desert, demonstrating high acceptability even in low-literacy populations. Further trials in diverse settings are recommended.