Understanding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-related loneliness: a scoping review

Although increasingly recognized, loneliness in COPD remains poorly understood. This review aims to inform rehabilitation practice and guide future research. The review was guided by the following questions: What are the key characteristics of emotional, social, and existential loneliness as described by individuals living with COPD? What constitutes COPD-related loneliness as experienced by these individuals?

This scoping review is informed by the Joanna Briggs Institute guidance. A systematic search was conducted in seven databases. Studies were screened following a stepwise approach. Data was extracted to identify key characteristics of loneliness and to develop analytical themes of COPD-related loneliness.

Seventeen publications were included. First, key characteristics of emotional, social, and existential loneliness were identified. Next, four analytical themes describing COPD-related loneliness were developed: (1) the condition reduces social contacts and interactions, (2) being housebound, (3) it is a lonely battle, and (4) feeling like a second-class person living in a parallel world.

COPD-related loneliness is a complex and evolving experience. Current rehabilitation programs insufficiently address emotional and existential dimensions of loneliness. Rehabilitation must explicitly target COPD-related loneliness as a central component of care, supported by tailored assessment tools and interventions that capture its condition-specific features.