Optimising PR for COPD: Does Severity Matter?

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Home-based pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) offers potential benefits for COPD patients, but its effectiveness across severity levels remains unclear. PR components are known. Results may be improved if the patient is more engaged with the intervention and receptive to change. This study aims to analyse which patients most benefit from home-based PR programmes regarding COPD severity. <bold>Methods:</bold> We conducted a quasi-experimental study where an 8-week PR programme was delivered. Regarding functional capacity accessed by the 6mWT, the 1-minute Sit-to-Stand Test, and the physical activity level, we divided the groups according to the cut-offs in the literature for the COPD population indicating poor prognosis. We categorised the patients into severe and non-severe patients. The primary outcome was functional capacity. Secondary outcomes included the impact of COPD and HRQoL. <bold>Results:</bold> Both groups showed relevant improvements in 6MWD at eight weeks. However, the severe group had a more significant improvement compared to the non-severe. Similar trends were observed for secondary outcomes, with greater improvements in the severe group regarding the impact of COPD and HRQoL. <bold>Conclusions:</bold> This study suggests that home-based PR can improve outcomes for both severe and non-severe COPD patients, with potentially greater benefits for severe patients. Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and optimise PR programs for different severity levels.