RT Journal Article T1 Long-term effects of face-to-face supervision versus telephone supervision during a community-based pulmonary rehabilitation programme in people with COPD using minimal equipment: a randomized controlled trial A1 Sacristán-Galileo, Cristina A1 Del Corral Núñez-Flores, Tamara A1 Gómez Pesquera, Carmen A1 Rodríguez-Barrientos, Ricardo A1 Fontana Campos, María A1 Arbillaga Etxarri, Ane A1 López De Uralde Villanueva, Ibai Julio A1 Rodríguez Gónzález Moro, José Miguel A1 Martín Casas, Patricia AB BackgroundPulmonary rehabilitation is a key and effective treatment for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) although lack of accessibility is a barrier. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of face-to-face supervision (FFS) with those of telephone supervision (TS) during a community-based pulmonary rehabilitation programme to increase functional exercise capacity in people with COPD using minimal equipment. In addition, physical activity level, health-related quality of life, psychological status, exercise self-efficacy, number of exacerbations and adherence were analysed.MethodsA single-blind randomized clinical trial was designed, allocating 80 patients from primary care setting 1:1 to FFS (n = 40) or TS (n = 40) rehabilitation programme. The intervention lasted 13 weeks and was composed of a structured education and exercise training. The variables evaluated were functional exercise capacity (6-minute walk distance [6MWD]), physical activity level (steps/day), health-related quality of life (COPD Assessment Test [CAT]), psychological status (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), exercise self-efficacy (Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale), number of exacerbations and adherence (Adherence to Treatment of Physiotherapy Scale).ResultsEighty participants were included in this study. Compared with the TS group, the FFS group presented improvements in the 6MWD of 28.8 m (95%CI 12.3–45.3, p < 0.01) after the intervention, 19.15 m (95%CI 2.7–35.6, p < 0.05) at 6 months, and 28 m (95%CI 11.5–44.5, p < 0.01) at 12 months, as well as the CAT score (mean: -4.2, -3.1, and − 4.6 points) respectively. Compared with the TS group, the FFS group performed an increased number of steps/day at the end of the intervention and at 12 months and had a reduced anxiety level at the 6-month follow-up. No differences in depression level, exercise self-efficacy, number of exacerbations or adherence were observed.ConclusionsCompared with TS, FFS was superior for improving functional exercise capacity, health-related quality of life and physical activity levels in the short and long term in individuals with COPD.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05565872 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05565872). Initial release: 09/27/2022. PB BioMed Central Ltd SN 2731-4553 YR 2025 FD 2025-08-27 LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/123964 UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/123964 LA eng NO Sacristán-Galisteo, C., del Corral, T., Gómez-Pesquera, C. et al. Long-term effects of face-to-face supervision versus telephone supervision during a community-based pulmonary rehabilitation programme in people with COPD using minimal equipment: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Prim. Care 26, 268 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-025-02962-3 NO Foundation for Biosanitary Research and Innovation in Primary Care (FIIBAP) NO Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) [project 1237/2022] DS Docta Complutense RD 30 dic 2025