Participants’ Experiences with a Telerehabilitation Behavioral Exercise Intervention to Improve Physical Function and Physical Activity After Lung Transplantation: A Multi-Method Study

Authors

  • Sweta Jena University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
  • Elizabeth Tarazi University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Former University of Pittsburgh employee at the time of manuscript preparation.
  • Bryan Willey University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
  • Andrea Hergenroeder University of Pittsburgh, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
  • Christopher Imes University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
  • Elizabeth Lenderman University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
  • Seol Ju E. Moon University of Minnesota, School of Nursing, Minneapolis, MN, USA
  • Kristen Jones University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Former University of Pittsburgh employee at the time of manuscript preparation
  • Melissa Vendetti University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Former University of Pittsburgh employee at the time of manuscript preparation
  • Annette DeVito Dabbs University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63144/ijt.2025.6705

Keywords:

Lung transplantation, Telerehabilitation

Abstract

Few studies have examined the factors influencing participant acceptability and engagement of telerehabilitation-based interventions. The study purpose was to describe the experiences of participants who were randomly assigned to the Lung Transplant Go (LTGO) telerehabilitation intervention group of a two-group, randomized, controlled parent trial. Survey measures included usability and familiarity with technology, exercise self-efficacy, and intervention adherence rates. Semi-structured interviews (SSI) were completed at 3- and 6-months post-intervention. Survey scores and adherence rates were high. SSI responses were generally positive with reported benefits including motivation, building strength, and becoming more physically active. Frustrations reported with technology or delivery were few and promptly resolved. Participants were willing to participate in the LTGO intervention again. Those who demonstrate limited familiarity with information technologies may benefit from additional support prior to intervention delivery.  

  

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Published

2025-06-12

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Jena, S., Tarazi, E., Willey, B., Hergenroeder, A., Imes, C., Lenderman, E., … Dabbs, A. D. (2025). Participants’ Experiences with a Telerehabilitation Behavioral Exercise Intervention to Improve Physical Function and Physical Activity After Lung Transplantation: A Multi-Method Study. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.63144/ijt.2025.6705

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Vol. 17 No. 1 (2025)

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Clinical Research

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Copyright (c) 2025 Sweta Jena, Elizabeth Tarazi, Bryan Willey, Andrea Hergenroeder, Christopher Imes, Elizabeth Lenderman, Seol Ju E. Moon, Kristen Jones, Melissa Vendetti, Annette Dabbs

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