The Effects of Telerehabilitation Versus Home-based Exercise on Muscle Function, Physical Activity, and Sleep in Children with Cystic Fibrosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

To evaluate the effects of telerehabilitation (TG) compared with an unsupervised home exercise training program (HG) on muscle function, physical activity (PA), and sleep in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). Thirty children with CF (mean age = 10.2 ± 1.9 years) were randomly allocated to TG or HG. The exercise protocol was applied thrice a week for six weeks in the TG via Skype. The same exercises were sent in an exercise booklet to the HG, and phone contact was made once a week. Muscle function (one-minute sit-to-stand (1-min STS), sit-up, pushup, squat, and plank tests)), PA (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children), and sleep (Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ)) were assessed before and after the 6-week study period. The 1-min STS significantly improved in the TG compared with the HG (p ≤ .001, ηp2 = 0.474). The sit-up (p = .005, ηp2 = 0.247), pushup (p = .002, ηp2 = 0.180), squat (p = .002, ηp2 = 0.284), and plank (p < .001, ηp2 = 0.360) test scores were significantly improved in the TG compared to the HG. No significant changes between groups were seen for PA (p = .261, ηp2 = 0.045), ESS (p = .160, ηp2 = 0.069), or PSQ (p = .763, ηp2 = 0.003). Children who received TG improved muscle function more than children who received an HG. The effectiveness of longer term TG programs should be investigated in children with CF.