A 10-week fully remote, home-based exercise programme for people with pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) was found to be both acceptable and beneficial, according to a study conducted by a group of Irish researchers, based on qualitative interviews with 13 participants.
The programme combined aerobic, resistance and respiratory training with health coaching, wearable technology, and educational sessions — all delivered remotely by a clinical exercise physiologist. Four key themes emerged from participants’ experiences:
- Convenience and accessibility — exercising at home removed travel burdens, offered flexibility, and felt more sustainable long-term
- Self-regulation skills — participants learned to manage breathlessness, pace themselves, and exercise safely, reducing fear of overexertion
- Support and accountability — the relationship with the exercise physiologist was central to maintaining motivation and combating feelings of isolation
- Physical and emotional improvements — participants reported reduced breathlessness, increased strength, better sleep, improved mood, and a renewed sense of control over their health
The authors conclude that home-based, person-centred exercise interventions show real promise for pulmonary hypertension patients, particularly those living far from specialist centres. Larger trials are needed to confirm effectiveness, scalability and long-term sustainability.
Read more at this link on Pulmonary Circulation
Citation
McCormack C, Hardcastle SJ, Moyna NM, Morahan E, Cullivan S, Gaine S, McCullagh B, Kehoe B. Flexible, Accessible, Effective: Patient Perceptions of the Pulmonary Hypertension and Home-Based (PHAHB) Physical Activity Intervention. Pulm Circ. 2026 Apr 29;16:e70309. doi: 10.1002/pul2.70309. PMID: 42064830; PMCID: PMC13126081.