INTRODUCTION:
The potential of mobile device technologies has significantly grown, and smartphone-based applications can help individuals with chronic conditions such as COPD to easily access and become more aware of self-management techniques1.

METHODS:
A smartphone application has been developed based on the evidence generated through a systematic review of digital health-based self-management interventions for COPD2. The intervention included was pulmonary rehabilitation- warm-up exercises, breathing exercises, upper limb exercises, lower limb exercises, postural drainage & inhaler use techniques, and Yoga techniques. A total of 166 COPD patients (80 in intervention and 86 in control group) has been recruited in a prospective non-randomized study to implement the smartphone application for COPD. A mixed methods (quasi-experimental study and a qualitative study) has been conducted to evaluate the smartphone application for COPD with follow-up at 1st, 3rd and 6 months using SGRQ, CAT, CCQ, DASS-21, mMRC questionnaire whereas standard care has been provided to the control group. In-depth interviews have been conducted with nine COPD patients who have completed the six-month follow-up.

RESULTS:
A total of 132 COPD patients has completed the follow-up at six months. A significant improvement in the SGRQ, CCQ, and mMRC score has been reported from baseline to six-month follow up whereas non-significant improvement has been reported in CAT score, depression, and anxiety score among intervention and control groups. A qualitative component reported the positive response from participants in terms of learning new techniques for COPD, symptom management, timesaving, range of exercises for COPD symptoms, and Yoga techniques.

CONCLUSIONS:
The multiple components of the self-management application such as pulmonary rehabilitation, associated exercise, and Yoga techniques for COPD as provided through smartphone application were found to be feasible to implement and safely adapted by COPD patients.