The Effect of Education and Reminder Messages on the Fatigue Level of Individuals With COPD

The Effect of Education and Reminder Messages on the Fatigue Level of Individuals With COPD: Randomised Controlled Study

COPD is an important respiratory system disease that progresses with damage to the airways.Increased mucus secretion and thickening in the airways causes obstruction.This obstruction causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, phlegm and wheezing.The most obvious problem that the emerging symptoms will cause for the patient is fatigue.Coping with fatigue is an important problem in COPD.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Does the training given in COPD affect the level of fatigue?
2. Do the education given and text messages sent regarding COPD affect the level of fatigue?

In this study, patients were given informative education about COPD and ways to cope with fatigue were explained. Then, in order to increase the permanence of the training, motivational messages and short briefings were continued for 8 weeks.2 messages were sent per week. Three groups were created to reveal the effectiveness of the trainings and messages.

Group 1 was trained and messages were sent for 8 weeks. Group 2 was trained and no message was sent. Group 3 is the control group. No training has been provided other than routine maintenance.

The initial information of all groups was taken again at the end of the 8th week.

Main outcomes:

• Dyspnea severity,
• COPD general conditions and
• Fatigue level. The results obtained will be interpreted by comparing between 3 groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with COPD for the last 1 year
• Hospitalized for at least 3 days,
• Voluntary patients

Exclusion Criteria:

• Under 18 years old
• Over 85 years old
• Those with chronic fatigue syndrome
• Those with severe heart failure
• Those who had surgery in the last 6 months