Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2025
Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 24, 2019
The effects of a symptom management program on symptom experience and physical function in Thai adults with chronic
Apinya Kochamat1, Teeranut Harnirattisai1, Evanne Juratovac2,3,4
1Faculty of Nursing, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand.
Background:
Adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) experience a range of unpleasant symptoms, including fatigue, dyspnea, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression, that are interrelated and impact one another. Developing a program to handle simultaneous symptoms poses challenges but offers advantages for adults with COPD in efficiently managing symptoms.
Objective:
This study aimed to determine the effects of a symptom management program on symptom experience and physical function in Thai adults with COPD.
Methods:
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a Repeated Measures design was performed. One hundred and two participants were allocated randomly to either the control group (n = 51) or the experimental group (n = 51). The experimental group received eight weeks of the symptom management program and usual care, while the control care group received only usual care. Data were collected from January 2023 to August 2023 at baseline, 4th weeks, and 8th weeks using the demographic data, the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Assessment Scale (HADS), the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), and 6-Minute Walk Distance (6-MWD). The hypotheses were analyzed using Repeated Measures Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA).
Results:
The symptom management program significantly impacted the experimental group's symptom experience and physical function at Weeks 4 and 8 (F = 5.257, p <0.001). There were significantly improved mean scores for the mMRC, MAF, 6MWD, and CAT (p <0.001, p <0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in the PSQI, HADS-Anxiety, and HADS-Depression over time.
Conclusion:
Implementing a symptom management program can help patients with COPD efficiently manage their symptoms. In clinical settings, nurses should integrate this program into routine nursing care to enhance the quality of life for patients suffering from COPD. The program can help patients preserve physical functionality while reducing dependence on family and society.
Trial Registry Number:
Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20230111006).
More Related Videos
04:03Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Therapeutic Efficacy of Moving Cupping Along Meridians for Acute Exacerbation of COPD
Published on: September 27, 2024
04:59Heat-sensitive Moxibustion as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Combined with Insomnia
Published on: May 30, 2025
Related Concept Videos
01:29Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Smoking Cessation
01:26COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
01:30Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Nursing Management
Assessment
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
01:22Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...