CAT score prediction for COPD patients using a chest-wearable Respeck

The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) consists of 8 questions, each one scored by patients on a scale of 0 to 5 points, and the aggregate score provides a self-assessment of the impact of their symptoms on their well-being. In the nature of questionnaires, the numeric CAT score is a subjective assessment by COPD patients on the effect of symptoms on their personal condition. This paper evaluates the pulmonary response of COPD patients wearing the Respeck device, during exertion when performing pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) exercises at home, as a measure of their wellbeing. Machine learning models were developed to use features derived from the Respeck respiratory rate and physical activity data during the PR exercises as objective measures to associate with the CAT score on the same day and to predict the CAT score for the next day. Results are presented for COPD patients in terms of standard error metrics such as Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and clinically-relevant minimum clinically important difference (MCID).