EFFECTS OF A PULMONARY REHABILITATION PROGRAM ON DYSPNEA, SELF CARE, AND PULMONARY FUNCTION OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE.
Contributors: University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Published: 1988
Number of pages: 223
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of disability and death in the United States. The goal of pulmonary rehabilitation is to restore the patient to the optimum level of functioning within the limitations imposed by the disease. Patients who complete multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation programs frequently report positive outcomes, but published research has provided only limited support of the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation program (PRP) on dyspnea, self-care, and pulmonary function of patients with COPD. Orem's Self-Care Theoretical Framework was used to guide the study.

A quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group design was used with 15 patients in the treatment group and 11 patients in the control group. Treatment group patients completed a 12-week, 36-session multidisciplinary PRP.

Data collection for demographic variables and the dependent variables of dyspnea and self-care was done through home visits. Pulmonary function results were obtained from medical records. Dyspnea was measured with two visual analog scales (VASs) and two Modified Borg Scales. Self-care was measured with the Self-Care Questionnaire developed for this study. Pulmonary function was measured by the forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory flow in the first second (FEV$\sb1$), forced mid-expiratory flow (FEF$\sb2□5\%-75\%)□$, and the maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV).

No statistically significant differences between groups post-PRP were found in dyspnea, self-care, and pulmonary function. The difference between groups in self-care approached significance. The validity and reliability of the Self-Care Questionnaire were supported by the findings of this study. The rigor of the statistical procedures used to test the hypotheses, the small sample size, and the mild severity of disease characteristic of this study sample contributed to the outcomes of the study. Although dyspnea, self-care, and pulmonary function were not significantly affected by the PRP, patients who completed the program reported increased activity tolerance with less dyspnea.

Recommendations for future study included repeating this study with a larger sample, further instrument development, studies of the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation programs using other variables, and studies of effective strategies to use in teaching the chronically ill.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-12, Section: B, page: 5231.

Thesis (D.S.N.)--UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM, 1988.

School code: 0005.