Effect of Self-Management Support Program on Ability to Manage Dyspnea among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a non-communicable chronic condition that cannot be completely cured, leading to breathing difficulties in patients varying according to the severity of the disease. This impacts both physical and mental well-being, affecting quality of life. This research aims to investigate the effects of a self-management support program on the ability to manage breathing difficulties in COPD patients using a quasi-experimental design, specifically a one-group pretest-posttest design. The sample group consists of COPD patients, specifically selected, totaling 30 individuals. The experimental group receives the self-management support program based on the 5 A's technique by Glasgow et al. (2006), which includes Assess, Advise, Agree, Assist, and Arrange, continuously for six weeks. Assessment is conducted using questionnaires on the ability to manage breathing difficulties and the modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Score (mMRC DS). General data analysis involves frequency statistics, percentages, means, standard deviations, and comparing mean scores using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for the ability to manage breathing difficulties and the McNemar test for dyspnea symptoms.

The research findings indicate that after receiving the self-management support program, the average score for the ability to manage symptoms is significantly higher than before participating in the program (p < 0.001). As for the average score of dyspnea symptoms after participating in the program, it is better compared to before, but not significantly different (p > 0.05$). Therefore, the self-management support program for COPD patients can promote better self-management, leading to an improved quality of life. Long-term studies are recommended to assess the sustainability of the program's outcomes.