AI Methods and Digital Intervention Strategies for Predicting and Managing COPD Exacerbation: An Umbrella Review

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major global health burden. Acute exacerbations (AE) significantly accelerate disease progression, reduce quality of life, and increase hospitalization rates. Emerging technologies, such as wearable biosensors, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital health interventions, offer new possibilities for proactive management. Objectives: This umbrella review synthesized evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses on (1) AI-driven prediction of COPD exacerbations using low-cost wearable biosignals, and (2) the effectiveness of digital health interventions on disease management, quality of life, and medication adherence. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (2015–2025) identified eligible reviews. Methodological quality was assessed using AMSTAR-2, and study overlap was quantified with the Corrected Covered Area (CCA). A narrative synthesis was conducted across two research questions. Results: Twenty-seven reviews were included. Results from reviews suggest that AI models show promising internal predictive performance but often lack external validation, calibration, and clinical integration. Digital health interventions, including mHealth apps, telemonitoring, and telerehabilitation, instead seem to lead to small to moderate improvements in quality of life and physical function. Effects on medication adherence and exacerbation reduction were inconsistent. However, most included reviews were rated “Low” or “Critically Low” in methodological quality, and presented high outcome heterogeneity, limiting comparability and generalization of results. Conclusion: While AI and digital tools offer promising avenues for improving COPD management, their clinical readiness is limited by methodological weaknesses and insufficient validation. Future research should focus on addressing these gaps and real-world implementation of technological solutions for COPD care, prioritizing equity in access, and standardized outcome reporting.