title: Dyspnea self-management strategies: use and effectiveness as reported by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt University, School of Nursing, 200-B Godchaux Hall, 461 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37240-0008, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Christenbery
mesh_terms: 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