This is a prospective, single-center, two-arm (1:1), assessor-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial that will be conducted in collaboration with the outpatient clinic of the third Pediatric Pulmonology Unit, "Attikon" University Hospital of Athens in Greece. The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of applying digital physiotherapy services in the management of specific clinical outcomes in children with chronic suppurative lung diseases, other than cystic fibrosis. The research question is whether airway clearance techniques and exercise training that are performed remotely using digital health services (DHSs) can improve functional and exercise capacity, as well as compliance with ACTs, compared to usual care. The intervention program includes airway clearance techniques (ACTs), as well as aerobic and strengthening exercises that can be implemented easily in an online setting at home with minimal equipment. The duration of the program will be 12 weeks, and the prescribed weekly regimen will consist of 50-minute remote sessions: two synchronous, supervised sessions conducted via the Vsee platform, and a minimum of one asynchronous, unsupervised session. Children will be encouraged to maintain daily adherence to the exercise protocol.
children aged 6 to 12 years old
clinically stable with an absence of pulmonary exacerbation four weeks prior to the study's recruitment
adherence to attend regular medical follow-up from a pediatric pulmonologist every three months
Cystic fibrosis
Immunodeficiency or asthma as their primary condition
Clinical evidence of cardiovascular, neuromuscular, metastatic, or psychiatric comorbidities, and neuromuscular or musculoskeletal impairments that affect mobility and the ability to follow instructions
Medical history of lung transplant
University of Thessaly
Lead sponsor
Attikon Hospital
Collaborator