title: Relaxation to reduce dyspnea and anxiety in COPD patients.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of a taped relaxation message in reducing dyspnea and anxiety in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Twenty-six adult COPD patients with dyspnea were randomly assigned to two groups. The treatment group was taught relaxation using a prerecorded tape while the control group was instructed to sit quietly. Skin temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate were recorded for all subjects during a total of four weekly sessions. Anxiety, dyspnea, and airway obstruction were measured at the beginning and end of the study. The relaxation group achieved the preset relaxation criteria. Dyspnea, anxiety, and airway obstruction were reduced in the relaxation group while the control group remained the same or became worse.
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Gift
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Soeken
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D012119:Respiration; D012881:Skin Temperature; D013637:Tape Recording / Q000592:standards*