Dyspnea self-management strategies: Use and effectiveness as reported by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

PURPOSE: 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. METHOD: 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. FINDINGS: 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. DISCUSSION: 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.