Reimagining pulmonary rehabilitation with smart technology

“This tool could help patients to eventually complete breathing exercises from different locations eventually, even from home,” Sanchez-Ramirez said. “Through the smart ring they can monitor their heart rate and oxygen saturation. Beyond enabling real-time self-monitoring, the program aims to deliver an engaging, enjoyable, and user-friendly experience for participants.” 

The VR application is designed to deliver guided breathing exercises in a stimulating format, where users would be prompted to synchronize their breathing with interactive elements. There would also be exercises monitoring upper limb movements in relation to the breathing cycle, promoting coordinated movement and respiratory control.  

Sanchez-Ramirez said this can benefit people living with interstitial lung diseases (ILD), a group of lung conditions characterized by inflammation and scarring of the lungs that leads to progressive shortness of breath and reduced quality of life. 

“This research represents an important first step in reimagining pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with ILD.”  

Sanchez-Ramirez recently received a $50,000 grant from the Canadian Lung Association and Boehringer Ingelheim Canada to develop the program. For the last few months, Sanchez-Ramirez has been working with a research team that includes a patient partner, Terry Greenwood, 79, of Winnipeg.  

Greenwood, who lives with ILD, has been testing the VR technology and giving feedback to Sanchez-Ramirez and her team. He has never used VR technology before, but said the team made it easy for him.

“The first time I put it on was a real experience,” he said. “I’m in awe. They’re finding ways to help people, and I think that is wonderful.”

Sanchez-Ramirez said the next phase includes bringing in up to 32 participants with ILD to pilot the program, with the intervention delivered through both laboratory and at-home sessions and compared to a control group.

“Our intent is to collect information on usability, accessibility, whether they like it and how we can improve intervention for a larger trial in the future,” she said.

One of the future benefits of the program would be increased accessibility to treatment for people with ILDs in rural areas.

“We have only one pulmonary rehab program in Manitoba, which is offered at three Winnipeg locations, but not everybody is able to come to Winnipeg,” Sanchez-Ramirez said. “We need to think about rural clients and find alternatives to meet their rehab needs.”