Remote Exercise Program Delivery Using a Mobile Application for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary rehabilitation programs that incorporate exercise training are an important component of optimal medical care for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), which improves exercise performance, quality of life, and may even modify disease progression. To date, no studies have utilized mobile health (mHealth) technology to provide exercise program interventions in the pulmonary hypertension population. Leveraging mobile technology, such as smartphones or tablets, to administer a home-based exercise rehabilitation program could improve patient access, satisfaction, and participation, while providing sustained physiologic benefits and incurring major cost savings compared to inpatient or outpatient-based supervised programs. This study hypothesis is that a home-based exercise program delivered by a mobile app will be feasible and safe for PAH/CTEPH patients. The secondary outcomes assessed will explore whether there are changes in exercise capacity, health-related quality of life, and right ventricular function, compared to standard care.