Table 1.

Characteristics of included RCTs

Reference (country)	Intervention		Control	Recruitment**	Inclusion criteria	Sample size	Characteristics of included participants			Follow-up (mths)	Outcomes
	Description	Length (wks)					Mean age (SD)	Sex (% male)	Mean FEV1% predicted (SD)
Bucknall et al, 2012 (UK)23	Supported self-management ‘Living well with COPD program’ Including prescription for self-treatment at onset of exacerbation Nurse visits: 4×40 min training sessions for 2 mths then every 6 wks Based on self-regulation theory	52	Usual care	During/immediately after inpatient admission augmented with patients from pulmonary rehabilitation	FEV1/FVC <0.7 FEV1<70%	464	69.1 (9.3)	37	40.5 (13.6)	12	Mortality COPD Admissions HRQoL Anxiety and depression Self-efficacy
Casas et al, 200624 and Garcia-Aymerich et al, 2007 (Spain)27	Integrated care Comprehensive assessment of patients at discharge; self-management education program by specialized respiratory nurse: 2 hrs before discharge, with reinforcement sessions via telephone: 1×/wk for 1 mth; further calls at 3 mths and 9 mths; individually tailored care plan; access to specialized nurse through ICT platform including a web-based call center	52	Usual care	At discharge after inpatient admission	COPD >48 hrs admission	155 and 113	71.2 (9.0)	83	41.8 (17.3)	12	Mortality Admissions Health service utilization HRQoL Dyspnea Medication adherence Inhaler technique Lung function Health behaviors Knowledge Satisfaction
Dheda et al, 2004 (UK)25	Intensive outpatient follow-up Review of inhaler technique/medications, smoking cessation advice, exercise and nutrition advice, introduction to a support group: ≥4× over 6 mths	26	Primary care follow-up	Implied at discharge	First COPD admission	33	70.2 (7.5)	NR	41.3 (16.5)	6	Admissions HRQoL Exacerbations Lung function
Egan et al, 2002 (Australia)26	Nursing-based case management Case manager assessment, self-management education and review: on admission, during hospitalization and 1 and 6 wks post-discharge	6	Usual care	During inpatient admission	COPD diagnosis	66	52.5	48	NR	3	Admissions HRQoL Anxiety and depression Satisfaction
Hermiz et al, 2002 (Australia)28	Home-based care Community nurse home visits for self-management advice: two visits at 1 and 4 wks post-discharge	4	Usual care	During inpatient admission or emergency department	COPD diagnosis 30–80 years	177	66.9	46	NR	3	Mortality Admissions Health service utilization HRQoL Health behaviors Knowledge Satisfaction
Hernandez et al, 2003 (Spain)29	Hospital-at-home Assessed by specialist team in emergency room, immediate or early discharge with specialist nurse home assessment and education including action plans and further visits (max 4) or telephone support; structured assessment by nurse including knowledge of disease and compliance with treatment	8	Usual care	Emergency department	COPD diagnosis	222	63.8 (7.7)	NR	40.9 (16.0)	2	Mortality Admissions HRQoL Lung function Knowledge Inhaler technique Satisfaction
Kwok et al, 2004 (Hong Kong)30	Community nursing program Trained community nurse visit patients to provide health counseling (drug and nutrition advice, inhaler technique): before discharge; home visit to review patient, health counseling (including drug and diet regime, home modifications, encourage physical exercise), psychosocial support: weekly home visits for 4 wks then monthly for 6 mths	26	Usual care	During inpatient admission	Chronic lung disease 60+ years > 1 admission in previous 6 mths	157	74.7 (6.4)	71	NR	6	Mortality Admissions ED visits Exercise capacity
Lee et al, 2002 (Hong Kong)20*	Care protocol For community nurses who followed up patients for 6 mths. Included education of nursing staff and patients; 1× week for 1 mth then monthly visits and telephone advice	26	Usual care	During inpatient admission	COPD aged 65+ years Resident of nursing home > 1 admission in previous 6 mths	112 (45 homes)	80.4 (6.3)	53	NR	6	Admissions ED visits Lung function Satisfaction
Wong et al, 2005 (People’s Republic of China)31	Nurse-initiated telephone follow-up Goal setting and patient education to increase self-efficacy; management of dyspnea: two telephone calls (wks 1 and 3). Based on Bandura’s theory	3	Usual care	At discharge	COPD diagnosis Home living	60	73.6 (7.8)	78	NR	3	Admissions ED visits Self-efficacy

Notes:

^*Cluster RCT;

^**all admitted for an acute exacerbation.

Abbreviations: RCTs, randomized controlled trials; wk, week; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; mth, month; min, minutes; hr, hour; max, maximum; FEV₁, forced expiratory volume in one second; SD, standard deviation; NR, not reported; HRQoL, health-related quality of life; ED, emergency department; FVC, forced vital capacity; ICT, information and communication technology.