Effects of guided deep breathing on breathlessness and the breathing pattern in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a double-blind randomized control study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether guided deep breathing using a device improves breathlessness, quality of life, and breathing pattern in moderate and severe stage of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: In total, 150 patients participated in a double-blind randomized controlled trial in a four-week intervention and a four-month follow-up. Participants were randomized into a guided deep breathing group (GDBG), music listening group (MLG), or sitting still group (SSG). The patients' symptom score using the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and a Global Rating Change scale (GRC) was applied to measure breathlessness as primary outcome. The activity score and impact score of SRGQ, and breathing pattern were secondary outcomes.

Results: Positive effects of the GDBG were detected in GRC scale in breathlessness at four weeks (p=0.03) with remaining effect compared to MLG (p=0.04), but not to SSG at four months follow-up. GDBG showed positive effect for respiratory rate (p<0.001) at four weeks follow-up. A positive significant change (p<0.05-0.01) was found in all groups of SGRQ symptom score.

Conclusion: GDBG had a beneficial effect on respiratory pattern and breathlessness. MLG and SSG also yielded significant improvements.

Practice implications: Guided deep breathing may be used as a self-management procedure.

Keywords: Breathlessness; COPD; Quality of life; Randomized control trial; Self-management.