Study flow
Before the study starts, a participant will be assigned into
the training group or the standard care group.
This occurs automatically and the researcher cannot influence this process.
The goal is to include 358 patients in the study,
whereby 50% will be allocated in the training group and 50% in the standard care group.
​
Both groups get offered as a basis the same treatment plan like normally happens in the hospital. Besides that, some extra study assessments will be performed
like filling in some questionnaires.
​
The training group will perform home based respiratory muscle training
using a small electronical device
and guidance by a healthcare provider.
This take place mainly online by means of telemonitoring.
​
What is telemonitoring:
Assessments
1 day
before discharge
3 months
after discharge
6 months
after discharge
1 year
after discharge
hospital admission
study period
follow-up
1 month
after discharge
hospital visit
1
hospital visit
2
hospital visit
3
questionnaires
via e-mail / telephone
questionnaires
via e-mail / telephone
Which assessments will one do during the hospital visits ?
hospital visit
1
-
performance of a lung function-, lung volume- and gas exchange measurement
- performance of a 1 minute sit to stand test
-
completing some questionnaires
-
measurement of maximal respiratory force
hospital visit
2
-
performance of a lung function measurement
-
performance of a 1 minute sit to stand test
-
completing some questionnaires
-
measurement of maximal respiratory force
hospital visit
3
-
performance of a lung function-, lung volume- and gas exchange measurement
-
performance of a 1 minute sit to stand test
-
completing some questionnaires
-
measurement of maximal respiratory force
Respiratory muscle training
For a patient in the training group, the training program and the number of guided training sessions will depend on the phase in they you are.
​
-
There is a short intensive training period, followed by a long period in which they train less frequently (maintenance phase and follow-up).
​
-
The training takes no more than 10 minutes per day.
​
-
The training program will be tailored to the abilities of the participant and in consultation with the healthcare provider that monitors them.
​
-
The guidance occurs on the one side through a smartphone app which is connected to the personal respiratory muscle training device and on the other hand via sessions with the healthcare provider (online / in person).
​​​
Beneath is an overview of the training phases and guidance moments.
1 day
before discharge
3 months
after discharge
6 months
after discharge
1 year
after discharge
hospital admission
intensive phase
week 1
week 2
week 3
week 4
week 6
week 8
week 10
maintenance phase
follow-up
week 16
week 20
supervised training session in the hospital
online guided training session
Telemonitoring
In this study, respiratory muscle training is combined with telemonitoring, which means that a healthcare provider monitors the participant remotely via video calls, and data is automatically sent from the app.
Telemonitoring is used for 3 reasons :
1. For safe and correct guidance
It is important that:
-
one performs the exercises correctly
-
the resistance is not too low or too high
-
one does not experience any complaints that require attention
2. Because the training mainly takes place at home
Respiratory muscle training allows participants to practice at home, at a time that suits them. Telemonitoring allows to receive support without having to go to the hospital.
3. To monitor your progress
For example, the app records:
-
how many breaths someone took
-
whether they reached the set resistance
-
how the personal performance evolves over time
This information helps the healthcare provider better understand how the training is going and whether adjustments are necessary.