More research is recommended on myCOPD for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. Using it for self-managing COPD could provide significant patient and healthcare system benefits if uncertainties in the evidence are addressed. [2024]
Research should compare myCOPD with standard care for people who use it to self-manage COPD. Find out more in the further research section of this guidance. [2024]
Why the committee made these recommendations
Standard care for COPD includes a range of interventions such as self-management, pulmonary rehabilitation (a face-to-face programme of exercise and education) and inhalers. myCOPD is an app that helps people with COPD understand their condition and manage symptoms. It also has a pulmonary rehabilitation programme, so people can do this remotely.
Clinical trial evidence is uncertain because the trials were short and included few people. But it suggests that using myCOPD for self-management improved COPD symptoms, walking distance and inhaler technique compared with standard care. The evidence also suggests that pulmonary rehabilitation using myCOPD works as well as face-to-face sessions.
The cost savings are uncertain because of limitations in the clinical evidence. There is also a lack of information about how much myCOPD affects healthcare resource use, such as unscheduled hospital appointments. More evidence is needed to resolve these uncertainties, so further research is recommended.