Dyspnea self-management strategies: use and effectiveness as reported by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
OBJECTIVE
The purposes of this study were to (1) identify the frequency with which patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) use dyspnea self-management strategies and (2) quantitatively describe the patients' perceptions of self-management strategy effectiveness.


METHODS
Surveys were administered to 79 patients with COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 second < 50% of predicted) in a COPD clinic. The patients were required to provide demographic data and complete dyspnea intensity and distress numeric ratings (0-10) and the Dyspnea Intervention Scale. Data were analyzed to assess the patients' level of dyspnea, frequency of self-management strategy use, and perceived degree of self-management strategy effectiveness.


RESULTS
Patients in this study experienced both dyspnea intensity (M = 5.52) and dyspnea distress (M = 4.10). Results indicated that patients used a variety of problem-focused self-management strategies to ease their dyspnea. The most helpful strategies were associated with movement and/or pace. Breathing self-management strategies were reported as least effective unless the patient had previous experience with pulmonary rehabilitation.


CONCLUSIONS
This study presents a beginning understanding of the perceptions of dyspnea self-management strategy effectiveness and frequency of strategy use in patients with COPD. The study also emphasizes the need for clinicians to individualize self-management strategy recommendations.
Christenbery
Thomas L
TL
Vanderbilt University, School of Nursing, 200-B Godchaux Hall, 461 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37240-0008, USA.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome