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

Dyspnoea and self‐management strategies in patients admitted to the emergency department: A study of patients’ experiences

“…The self‐management strategies used by the chronically ill patients in the present study, resembled strategies previously investigated among patients with advanced disease such as chronic heart failure, COPD, asthma, lung cancer and motor neuron disease (Christenbery, ; Henoch, Bergman, & Danielson, ; Lai, Chan, & Lopez, ; Simon et al., ). In a study by Simon et al.…”

“…The self-management strategies used by the chronically ill patients in the present study, resembled strategies previously investigated among patients with advanced disease such as chronic heart failure, COPD, asthma, lung cancer and motor neuron disease (Christenbery, 2005;Henoch, Bergman, & Danielson, 2008;Lai, Chan, & Lopez, 2007;Simon et al, 2016). In a study by Simon et al (2016), the self-management strategies for relieving episodic dyspnoea were classified in six types: reduction in physical exertion, cognitive and psychological strategies, breathing techniques and positions, air and oxygen, drugs and medical devices, and environmental and other strategies.…”

How do COPD patients respond to exacerbations?

“…Nevertheless, indirectly from the literature, it can be expected that early and self-initiated response on these episodes including all three type of actions most likely affect outcome. Self-management measures during periods of symptom deterioration like changing activity, relaxation, and breathing pattern alteration, a proxy for type-A actions, have shown to be effective in faster symptom relief [32,33]. Furthermore, there is sufficient evidence that prompt anticipation by increasing short-acting bronchodilators (type-B actions) is effective in reducing symptoms and improve airflow obstruction during exacerbations [1,34].…”

Self‐management behaviours for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a qualitative study

“…To prevent dyspnoea, patients must learn activity modification, positioning and movement techniques, avoiding potential dyspnoea stimuli (e.g. wind, heat, stagnant air and crowds), new eating habits, relaxation techniques and acceptance of the illness and its limitations (Nield 2000, Seamark et al 2004, Christenbery 2005, Froggatt & Walford 2005, Maher & Hemming 2005, Prigmore 2005). Such behaviours correspond to the sub-themes found in this study.…”