Kaia COPD App: Instructions for Use (2023)

Revision: 9, 2021-11-17

Table of contents

Welcome to Kaia COPD: my active COPD therapy!

1. The Kaia COPD therapy concept
   1. How Kaia COPD works
   2. When can Kaia COPD be used? (intended use and indications)
   3. When should Kaia COPD not be used? (contraindications)
   4. Known side effects of Kaia COPD
2. Getting started
3. Your daily program
   1. Course overview
   2. Physical exercises
   3. Motion Coach
   4. Relaxation and breathing practices
   5. Learning modules
4. Structure of the Kaia COPD App
   1. The “Today” tab
   2. The “Progress” tab
   3. The “Browse” tab
   4. The “Support” tab
   5. The “Settings” tab
5. Building habits
   1. Make concrete plans
   2. Set realistic goals
   3. Give yourself a reward
6. Getting in touch
7. Technical information
   1. Install the app
   2. Uninstall the app
   3. Update the app

Appendix

1. Hardware and software compatibility

Welcome to Kaia COPD: my active COPD therapy!

Thank you for choosing Kaia COPD for a better life with COPD. Congratulations on taking the first step!

We designed the Kaia COPD app to fit easily in your life. In fact, your Kaia COPD program can be done in just minutes per day. All you need is enough space to train, a stable Internet connection, and a smartphone or tablet!

This document contains important information to help you get started with the Kaia COPD app. Keep in mind that your doctor is the best person to provide you with information about your diagnosis and answer any medical questions you might have. If you have questions about registering for Kaia COPD or reimbursement, please contact our Customer Support at support.copd@eu.kaiahealth.com.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!

1. The Kaia COPD therapy concept

WARNING: Please read these instructions carefully before use. Before using Kaia COPD, consult a doctor and receive a medical check-up to make sure you are cleared to be physically active.

1.1 How Kaia COPD works

Kaia COPD is a digital-health app based on pulmonary rehabilitation, a clinically validated lung-health program that includes physical exercises, health education, and breathing techniques. Pulmonary rehabilitation (also known as “respiratory rehabilitation”) is used for people who have issues with their lungs (such as COPD) to help their breathing and improve overall quality of life.

Kaia COPD delivers new course units daily in your Daily Program that show you how to get physically active and proactively manage your COPD. When you register for Kaia COPD, the app uses your information to tailor your Daily Program to your unique needs.

Your Daily Program combines 3 main approaches that are particularly effective when used together:

• Physical exercises — Simple exercise routines tailored to your specific needs and designed to improve your strength and endurance. Building these important physical abilities can make it significantly easier to do everyday activities.
• Relaxation and breathing practices — Based on mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation, breath control, and better management of shortness of breath.
• Learning modules — Understanding the causes and mechanisms of COPD helps you to manage it more efficiently.

Note: We advise our users to adhere as closely as possible to the instructions provided in your Daily Program and in this document to avoid potential injuries and to gain maximum benefit.

WARNING: If you experience sudden discomfort such as chest pain or increased shortness of breath during or after using Kaia COPD, stop the exercise immediately and consult a doctor.

Kaia COPD should be used between 3 and 7 times a week, unless you have been instructed otherwise by your doctor.

1.2 When can Kaia COPD be used? (intended use and indications)

Kaia COPD is a medical product for use by people with COPD based on the concept of pulmonary rehabilitation. Kaia delivers new course units daily to promote physical activity and to help proactively manage COPD. Kaia COPD supports people above the age of 18 years with a diagnosis of COPD (J44.-) as long as contraindications and other causes for symptoms which require specific therapy are excluded. Kaia COPD cannot diagnose conditions or injuries and cannot be used in lieu of a medical consultation.

1.3 When should Kaia COPD not be used? (contraindications)

WARNING: You should only use Kaia COPD if you do not have any of the contraindications listed below and if you have already seen a doctor.

Contraindications with ICD-10 code

• Advanced heart failure (I50.-), heart disease or other unexplained cardiovascular complaints (I51.-)
  Do not use Kaia COPD if you have or have had any history of heart disease, shortness of breath while at rest, or any other unexplained cardiovascular complaints unless your doctor has given you a medical exam and cleared you to do physical exercises such as those used in Kaia COPD.
• Pulmonary Embolism, Pulmonary infarction (I26.-) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (I80.2-)
  Do not use Kaia COPD if you have had a DVT or embolism. Ask your doctor if you are able to use Kaia COPD and be physically active if you have had a pulmonary embolism, pulmonary infarction, or DVT.
• Current exacerbation or respiratory infection (both with shortness of breath) (J44.1-)
  Do not use Kaia COPD during a flare-up (exacerbation) of your COPD or during any respiratory infections. After a COPD exacerbation, ask your doctor if you are able to use Kaia COPD and be physically active.
• Pregnancy (O09.-)
  Do not use Kaia COPD if you are pregnant.

Relative contraindications with ICD-10 code

Only use Kaia COPD after a thorough consultation with your doctor if you have any of the conditions mentioned below (relative contraindications):

• Musculoskeletal conditions such as herniated discs (M51.-) or decreased bone density (M80.- / M81.-), or previous spinal surgery (Z98.-)
• Neurological condition such as a previous cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (stroke) (I63.-)
• Gait imbalance (R26.-), tendency to fall (R29.6-)
• Unexplained chest pain (I51.9) or previous myocardial infarction (I21.-)

Do not use Kaia COPD if you have trouble understanding any portion of the instructions in the app. Only use the app if you understand the language used in the app very well. Do not use Kaia COPD if you are under 18 years of age.

1.4 Known side effects of Kaia COPD

The following side effects have been reported for Kaia COPD:

• Pain in neck muscles during or after exercise
• Unpleasant sensations during or after exercise (like popping sensations in the back or temporary dizziness)
• Cramps in muscles during or after exercise

If these complaints persist for longer than a few days, please consult your doctor.

2. Getting started

In order to get started with Kaia COPD, complete the following steps:

1. Register for the app on the Kaia COPD website at https://signup-copd.eu.kaiahealth.com/ or directly through the app.
2. Complete your Kaia COPD Profile questionnaire. Your questionnaire answers are important, as we use them to create your Daily Program. To complete the questionnaire, tap the “Start” button on the “COPD Assessment Test” screen and answer the questions. If you need help during any step, simply tap the blue info icon on the top-right side of the screen to receive additional information.
3. Once you’ve completed all of these steps, your account is ready and you’re able to start your first Kaia day!

3. Your daily program

Kaia COPD offers an extensive training program that includes physical exercises, relaxation and breathing practices, and learning modules. In order to provide the best therapy program for you, the app will provide new information every day.

3.1 Course overview

You can customize your Daily Program by joining and leaving courses. To leave or enroll in a course, select the “Settings” tab on the bottom of the screen. From the “Settings” screen, select “Course enrollment”. This will lead you to an overview of the available courses with the option to enroll in or leave each course. Click on a course to add it to your daily schedule. The courses you are enrolled in are marked with a dark blue check-mark icon.

Each course consists of several units. In your Daily Program, you’ll receive one unit or exercise each day for every course in which you are enrolled. If all units from the day are finished, the day will be marked as complete.

3.2 Physical exercises

Physical exercises are the cornerstone of your daily therapy. Based on the answers you provided when you signed up and the feedback you give after each exercise session, the app will select the best physical exercises for you every day. To start a physical exercise session, select the “Workout” unit and tap on the dark blue “Start” button at the bottom of the “Workout” screen.

Hint: To see which exercises are included in your session for that day, just scroll down to the bottom of the screen for a preview.

Kaia COPD makes it easy for you to decide how long you want your Kaia COPD workout to be each day. To do this, go to the “Workout” unit in your Daily Program. There you can select the number of exercise rounds that suit you best.

Please note: We recommend connecting to WiFi each time you use Kaia COPD to ensure best performance. If you choose not to connect to WiFi, please check with your network service provider regarding data usage and overages.

Step 1: Instruction video

Before each physical exercise begins, Kaia COPD will show you a short intro video showing the proper way to do the exercise. Be sure to pay close attention to how the exercise is done and listen for hints on how to maintain the proper form. If you forget the instructions or need a reminder, you can always revisit the intro video during the exercise session. To do this, press the “Pause” button in the bottom left and then the white “Instructions” icon on the bottom right of the exercise video screen.

Step 2: Doing your Kaia COPD physical exercises

After the instructions, it’s your turn to exercise! For static exercises (exercises that feature a position that’s meant to be held for a certain period of time), Kaia COPD will show you the exact position to hold. In the case of dynamic (moving) exercises, you will be shown how to properly perform the movements.

Simply do the exercise for the duration indicated by the timer in the bottom-right corner of the exercise video screen. To pause your training, press the “Pause” button on the bottom left. To cancel your training, select the white “X” button in the top-right corner.

Please note: If you cancel your training, no progress will be saved and you will need to start the exercise from the beginning in order to complete that day’s Daily Program.

Pause screen

Once you’ve paused the exercise, you will be shown the “Pause” screen. From this screen, you can skip the exercise, cancel the training, or revisit the instructions by clicking each respective button. You can add exercises to “Favorites” by clicking the “Favorite” star button. These exercises can be found and revisited in the “Browse” tab under “Favorites” at the bottom of the screen.

To save your favorite exercises during exercising: First, tap the “Pause” button. From the “Pause” screen, click the “Favorite” star button to save the exercise to “Favorites”.

What makes training effective is very individual. So focus on finding a rhythm that works for you and your everyday life. Where you do the Kaia COPD workout is entirely up to you. For many of our users, it has proven helpful to always do the exercises in the same place. This makes it easier to develop a routine and to integrate the exercises regularly into your daily life. Just experiment with when and where the Kaia COPD exercises fit best into your daily routine until you find what works. The most important thing is that you stick to your Kaia COPD program regularly!

3.3 Motion Coach

Unsure if you’re doing the exercises correctly? We’ve got you covered. Kaia Motion Coach can help ensure that you’re doing the exercises correctly. Plus, it keeps track of your exercise repetitions.

Kaia Motion Coach captures your movements during your Kaia COPD physical exercises with your device’s camera. It gives you real-time feedback and suggestions on how to perform each exercise better and more precisely. Currently, Kaia Motion Coach is not yet available for all exercises in your Kaia COPD training program. However, it can be accessed for certain exercises in the “Browse” tab. We are working on offering more exercises that use Kaia Motion Coach.

You can click on the running-figure “Motion Coach” icon directly during Kaia COPD workouts to get real-time assistance with exercise correction. After you tap the “Motion Coach” button, the exercise will automatically resume where you left off, with Motion Coach now enabled. Please follow the instructions and adjust to the feedback given by Motion Coach for the best experience possible.

Alternatively, you can start the movement coach for specific exercises, independent of your daily program, from the “Library” area.

3.4 Relaxation and breathing practices

The second pillar of your Kaia COPD Daily Program is relaxation and breathing practices. Kaia COPD currently features two different relaxation techniques: breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation.

You can participate in both these techniques by enrolling in or leaving the respective courses in the course overview.

Relaxation practices are included in your Daily Program. To start a relaxation practice, go to the “Today” tab and select a relaxation unit by tapping on it. Then, click the dark blue “Start” button at the bottom. The app will then play an audio recording that will guide you through the entire exercise.

3.5 Learning modules

The third pillar of the Kaia COPD Daily Program is learning modules. These short, bite-sized lessons offer helpful information about COPD and how it affects the body. You’ll also learn special breathing techniques and other practical tips for dealing with COPD in everyday life.

The learning modules consist of interactive chat-style texts, as well as short videos on important COPD topics (such as how to use different types of inhalers correctly).To start a learning module, select a “Theory” unit by tapping on it and then tap the dark blue “Start” button at the bottom.

4. Structure of the Kaia COPD App

In the Kaia COPD app, you will find five different areas in the bottom bar - also called tabs. The five areas are as follows:

1. “Today“
2. “Progress”
3. “Browse”
4. “Help”
5. “Settings”

4.1 The “Today” tab

The “Today” tab is the hub of Kaia COPD. This is where you’ll find your Daily Program, which includes the units of your enrolled courses. In addition, you can view your daily step goal and the progress you have made, if you have turned on the step tracker. Tap the “See exercises” button to start your daily physical exercises, or select any other content on the screen to get active against COPD.

4.2 The “Progress” tab

After your first Kaia COPD day, you’ll be asked to briefly rate your shortness of breath and general wellbeing before starting your Daily Program. In the “Progress” tab, you’ll find an overview of these self-reported daily stats.

In addition, you can allow the Kaia COPD app to access data from your smartphone's pedometer and set a weekly step goal. Your steps are then displayed in the “Today” tab and in the “Progress” tab. This way you can easily see if you have already reached your step goal for the day. On Sundays you have the possibility to adjust your step goal.

4.3 The “Browse” tab

In the “Browse” tab, you’ll find an overview of the different physical exercises in Kaia COPD. Here, you can review the video instructions for exercises, activate Motion Coach for a particular exercise, or see an overview of your last exercises as well as a list of your favorites.

4.4 The “Support” tab

For further information about the app, you can always chat with Kaia COPD Customer Support. Chat is easily accessible from the “Support” tab on the bottom right of the screen. The Chat works similarly to other messaging apps. Just type your message and your question or comment will be answered soon. Please keep in mind that this is not a live chat. Your message will be answered within 24 hours. If you haven’t received a reply within a few hours, please reach out to the Kaia COPD Customer Support at support.copd@eu.kaiahealth.com.

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS

1. Always adhere to the instructions given in Kaia COPD. Be sure to give honest answers to the questions asked in the app.
2. Your Kaia COPD account contains personal information and allows us to customize your program for you. Therefore, never share your Kaia account with other people. Please note that the use of Kaia is limited to private, non-shared devices.
3. Be on the lookout for Kaia COPD update notifications. Always update your app to the most current version when you receive an update notification from Kaia COPD. This is because updates may contain content relevant to your safety.

4.5 The “Settings” tab

In the “Settings” tab, you can update your personal information, view legal documents and adjust other app settings.

Once in the “Settings” screen, you’ll see the following sections:

• Training Schedule: Enables you to set your desired weekly training schedule as well as reminders for your training days.
• Course enrollment enables you to access your Kaia COPD course overview. Here, you can subscribe and unsubscribe from learning and relaxation courses.
  • Please note that you are always subscribed to the Workout course.
  • Your course enrollment selections in this section affect which course units are included in your Daily Program. A unit from every course you’re enrolled in will be added to your Daily Program.
  • Once you’ve completed all course units on a given day, that day will be marked as complete in the app.
• Subscription: Here, you can access details about your current Kaia COPD subscription length.
• Manage your data: Here, you can export your data as a PDF or in a machine-readable format. If you want, you can also show a printout or a digital version of your training history to your doctor to discuss your progress with Kaia COPD. You can also view, revoke and grant consent for data processing, as well as delete your user account and all associated data.
• General & Legal: Here, you can adjust other settings such as notification and contact settings. In this section, you can also adjust the language used in Kaia Back Pain or update your login credentials. Furthermore, you can view legal information, such as terms and conditions and privacy policy as well as used software licenses.
• Help Center: Here, you can access detailed instructions on how to access the sections and their corresponding features in the “Settings” screen, as well as information on many other topics related to how to use Kaia COPD. You can also contact our support here.

5. Building habits

We all have different ways of approaching change in our lives. While some can instantly add a new habit, others need some more time to adjust. Whatever your situation, the key to implementing change is to form habits. Below is some advice that has helped Kaia COPD users make the most of their therapy.

5.1 Make concrete plans

Getting started with Kaia COPD is easier when you set a fixed time in your schedule to do your training: the more concrete, the better. For example, set your training schedule to do your physical exercises every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after waking up but before breakfast. Make sure you have your workout clothes and exercise mat set up and ready to go.

For some of our users, it helps to always do Kaia COPD in the same room. However, the app allows you to train anytime and anywhere, so feel free to try different locations and times to see what works for you.

The relaxation exercises are ideal for cooling down after the physical exercises or before going to bed to help you fall asleep. Try out different times and see what works so you can be consistent with your training!

5.2 Set realistic goals

Trying to achieve goals by relying on implementing impossible changes will just result in frustration. There is a reason that New Year’s resolutions rarely work; we are just not made to completely change behavior in a short amount of time. What works, however, is making small changes.

If it’s been a while since you’ve played a sport or exercised, start with one or two physical exercises per week. If you’re new to relaxation, plan short sessions so you aren’t overwhelmed. You can always increase the frequency and duration of your training later. The most important thing is to get started! Make sure to follow your doctor's instructions as well.

5.3 Give yourself a reward

Kaia COPD can increase your quality of life significantly over time but getting there can be challenging. Setting up a routine isn’t easy, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you miss a training session or two. Don’t get discouraged; just go back to where you left off. Plus, there’s nothing wrong with a little reward when you achieve your goals!

6. Getting in touch

Legal manufacturer

kaia health software GmbH (abbreviated as Kaia in the text)
Siegfriedstr. 8
80803 Munich
Germany
info@kaiahealth.com

Note: If you notice any deterioration in your health that you as a user or your doctor feel may be linked to use of Kaia COPD, please reach out to us using the contact information provided above.

Please reach out to us if you require a paper copy of the Instructions for Use.

Kaia COPD is a medical device of class IIa.

7. Technical information

7.1 Install the app

How to install Kaia COPD in Android

1. Go to the Google Play Store on your computer, smartphone, or tablet (make sure you have an active Internetconnection).
2. Click on the search bar.
3. Type “Kaia COPD”
4. Look for the yellow-circle Kaia logo and confirm that you have the correct Kaia app for COPD, as Kaia has more than 1 app.
5. Click on “Install” and monitor the installation progress.
6. Once the app is installed, the “Install” button will change to “Open.”
7. Click on “Open” to launch the app.

How to install Kaia COPD in iOS

1. Go to the Apple App Store on your computer, smartphone, or tablet (make sure you have an active Internet connection).
2. Click on the search tab.
3. Type “Kaia COPD” in the search bar.
4. Look for the yellow-circle Kaia logo and confirm that you have the correct Kaia app for COPD, as Kaia has more than 1 app.
5. Click on the Download icon and monitor the installation progress.
6. You can stop the installation by clicking on the Stop button.
7. Once the app is installed, the Download button will change to Open. Click on Open to launch the app.

7.2 Uninstall the app

How to uninstall Kaia COPD in Android

1. Open Android settings.
2. Go to the Apps section.
3. Search for Kaia COPD and click on it.
4. Click on the Uninstall button to uninstall the app.

How to uninstall Kaia COPD in iOS

1. Press the screen for 2 seconds until the app icons “wobble.” Then, click on the minus sign on the top-left side of the Kaia COPD icon.
2. Click Delete to uninstall Kaia COPD.

7.3 Update the app

How to update Kaia COPD in Android

1. Open the Google Play Store (make sure you have an active Internet connection).
2. Click on the search bar.
3. Type “Kaia COPD” in the search bar.
4. Click on the Update button.
5. Wait for the download to complete.
6. Click on Open to access the update.

How to update Kaia COPD in iOS

1. Open the Apple App Store (make sure you have an active Internet connection).
2. Click on the search bar.
3. Type “Kaia COPD” in the search bar.
4. Click on the Update button.
5. Wait for the download to complete.
6. Click on Open to access the update.

Appendix

i. Hardware and software compatibility

iOS

On iOS, all Apple smartphone and tablet models running iOS 13.0 or later are supported, except for the following devices, which do NOT support Motion Coach: iPad Mini 4, iPad Air 2.

Kaia COPD is compatible with the Apple HealthKit interface.

Android

On Android, Kaia COPD can be installed and run on all smartphone and tablet models running the Android 5.1 (Lollipop) operating system or later, if they meet Google's requirements for Android version 5.1 or later.

Kaia COPD is compatible with the Google Fit interface.

Kaia ensures the correct functionality of Kaia COPD on the following Android devices through periodic reviews:

ii. Label* & symbols

	CE registration mark with notified body number. Indicates compliance with the requirements of the EU 2017/745 Medical Device Regulations
	Manufacturer
	Consult the operating instructions

*Please check the Contact page in the Settings screen of the app for the latest version, release date and UDI information