Dyspnea is the common and typical symptoms reported by patients diagnosed with COPD. Dyspnea measurement is integrated in the global clinical guideline and dyspnea in daily life can be measured by a number of detailed questionnaires conducted by occupational therapist that are more discriminant and sensitive to change.
Non-pharmacological treatment is complementary to pharmacological treatment and should form part of the comprehensive management of COPD as recommended by the Global initiative for COPD, Inc. (2024). Pulmonary rehabilitation is thus one of the most significant non-pharmacological treatment to managing dyspnea. It is based on thorough patient assessment followed by patient-tailored therapies that include, but are not limited to, exercise training, education, self-management intervention aiming at behavior change, designed to improve the physical and psychological condition of people with chronic respiratory disease and to promote the long-term adherence to health-enhancing behaviors.
The occupational therapy educational components of dyspnea management in pulmonary rehabilitation are fundamentally integral to the format and success of the programme. Education comes into every aspect of rehabilitation and in discrete educational sessions. The intention of the educational element is to support the lifestyle and behavioral change and assist self-management to promote decision making and self-efficacy.
The occupational therapy strategies in managing dyspnea include coordinated breathing generalization in activities of daily living, energy conservation application in everyday self-care & household demands, environment adaptation, stress management & relaxation, baduanjin class & community integration.
Facilitative use of motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy may have a preventative as well as a treatment role, and could be incorporated into routine rehabilitation programme. Patients' thought distortions, maladaptive behaviors, symptoms and associated distress can be reduced through learning the specific information-processing skills and coping mechanisms.
