Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 24, 2019
Use of the Breathlessness, Cough, and Sputum Scale (BCSS(©)) in Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Michele L McCarroll1, Rachael J Pohle-Krauza, Teresa A Volsko
1Summa Center for Women's Health Research, Summa Health System Akron, Ohio, USA.
Background:
In pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) effective measures have been taken while in analyzing a patient's intervention with the help of entry to exit evaluations. The absence of an objective and quantifiable scale are limitations of PR that allow analyzing of a patient's self reported symptoms throughout PR. The Breathlessness, Cough and Sputum Scale (BCSS(©)) is used to predict patient exacerbations by evaluating common symptoms identified in the COPD population. This study used the BCSS(©) survey to track complex symptom changes throughout the course of PR intervention. The BCSS(©) tool measured the patient's self reported symptoms in real time for each visit when patient enrolled in PR.
Methods:
Thirty-five patients with COPD from three outpatient PR centers were asked to report the severity of breathlessness, cough, and sputum prior to each PR session using the BCSS(©) survey.
Results:
There was a significant decrease in self reported symptoms of the mean BCSS(©) score from entry 4.6(± 2.9) to exit 2.3 (± 2.5), p < 0.001. The results showed variable decrease in the self reported symptoms with more PR visits. The secondary outcome showed high correlations with quality of life measures using the Pulmonary Function Status Scale (PFSS) on entry and exit to PR.
Conclusions:
The BCSS(©) tool is an effective means for measuring the impact of PR on improving patient tolerance and self-reported symptoms as a result of COPD. More research is needed to better assess the complex symptoms of COPD patients in PR to enhance programmatic outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Pulmonary Function Tests
Pulmonary Function Tests are crucial diagnostic tools for assessing respiratory function, particularly in patients with chronic respiratory disorders. They comprehensively evaluate lung volumes, ventilatory function, breathing mechanics, diffusion, and gas exchange. These tests help diagnose pulmonary diseases and play a significant role in monitoring disease progression, evaluating disability, and assessing response to therapy.
PFTs involve using a spirometer, a...
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:23Assessment of Respiration
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD,...
01:27Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration can...
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
01:29Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement: