Breathe Easy, Live Free: Digital Innovation for COPD & Sustainable Health: A Systematic Review

Mariam Javaid; Saima Riaz; Salman Latif; Ayesha Bashir; Muhammad Naveed Babur; Saleh Shah

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Online Published: 22 Sep 2026

RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1177-1181

Breathe Easy, Live Free: Digital Innovation for COPD & Sustainable Health: A Systematic Review

Mariam Javaid, Saima Riaz, Salman Latif, Ayesha Bashir, Muhammad Naveed Babur, Saleh Shah.

Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of digital physiotherapy interventions in managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3 and SDG 9).
Methods:. A comprehensive search across PubMed, PMC, Science Direct, and Google Scholar identified 312 studies, of which 10 RCTs published between 2020 and 2025 met the inclusion criteria. Sample sizes ranged from 23 to 174, with intervention durations spanning 6–12 weeks.
Results: The reviewed RCTs demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvements in key outcomes. Functional capacity improved notably, with one Kinect-based VR study showing a 32.5-meter increase in 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance (p < 0.01), exceeding the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of 30 m. Tele-yoga interventions resulted in median 6MWT improvements of 165 m vs. 120 m in tele-rehabilitation (both p < 0.001). Symptom burden decreased significantly; COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores reduced by 5.74 points (p < 0.001), and mMRC dyspnea scores dropped ≥1 point (p < 0.001). SGRQ scores improved by 12 points (p = 0.02), and lung function showed modest but significant FEV₁/FVC gains (SMD = 0.71; p < 0.01). Psychological outcomes also improved significantly (HADS p < 0.05). No major adverse events were reported, and adherence exceeded 80% in all trials.
Conclusion: Digital physiotherapy demonstrates clinically and statistically meaningful benefits in COPD care.

Key words: COPD, Exercise therapy, Quality of life, Tele-rehabilitation, Virtual reality

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Pubmed Style

Javaid M, Riaz S, Latif S, Bashir A, Babur MN, Shah S. Breathe Easy, Live Free: Digital Innovation for COPD & Sustainable Health: A Systematic Review. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1177-1181.

Web Style

Javaid M, Riaz S, Latif S, Bashir A, Babur MN, Shah S. Breathe Easy, Live Free: Digital Innovation for COPD & Sustainable Health: A Systematic Review. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=332628 [Access: November 11, 2026].

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Javaid M, Riaz S, Latif S, Bashir A, Babur MN, Shah S. Breathe Easy, Live Free: Digital Innovation for COPD & Sustainable Health: A Systematic Review. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1177-1181.

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Javaid M, Riaz S, Latif S, Bashir A, Babur MN, Shah S. Breathe Easy, Live Free: Digital Innovation for COPD & Sustainable Health: A Systematic Review. RMJ. (2026), [cited November 11, 2026]; 51(4): 1177-1181.

Harvard Style

Javaid, M., Riaz, . S., Latif, . S., Bashir, . A., Babur, . M. N. & Shah, . S. (2026) Breathe Easy, Live Free: Digital Innovation for COPD & Sustainable Health: A Systematic Review. RMJ, 51 (4), 1177-1181.

Turabian Style

Javaid, Mariam, Saima Riaz, Salman Latif, Ayesha Bashir, Muhammad Naveed Babur, and Saleh Shah. 2026. Breathe Easy, Live Free: Digital Innovation for COPD & Sustainable Health: A Systematic Review. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (4), 1177-1181.

Chicago Style

Javaid, Mariam, Saima Riaz, Salman Latif, Ayesha Bashir, Muhammad Naveed Babur, and Saleh Shah. "Breathe Easy, Live Free: Digital Innovation for COPD & Sustainable Health: A Systematic Review." Rawal Medical Journal 51 (2026), 1177-1181.

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