Breathibg Exercises and Inhaler Trainingfor Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients

The Effects of Breathing Exercises and Inhaler Training for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients on the Severity of Dyspnea and Life Quality

The most common symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is shortness of breath and causes a decrease in the patient's quality of life. The best way to relieve shortness of breath is inhaler therapy. However, it is known that patients frequently apply this treatment incorrectly. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of breathing exercises and inhaler training for COPD patients on the severity of dyspnea and life quality.

For this, two patient groups with a total of 67 people were included in the study. While one group was trained on inhaler drug use, the other group was taught breathing exercises in addition to the inhaler drug use training. Patients were asked to continue the practices they learned regularly for 4 weeks. At the end of the study, it was observed that shortness of breath decreased and the quality of life increased in both patient groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The individuals over the age of 18,
• Who had been diagnosed with COPD for at least three months,
• Using inhalers at least twice a day,
• Misusing their drug,
• Had not previously taken breathing exercise training
• Had not participated in a rehabilitation program

Exclusion Criteria:

• Mental disorders,
• Communication disabilities,
• Heart disease that could lead to dyspnea,
• Unstable angina