CLINICAL RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Please note: All posters will be displayed in
Salons 10-12.
FRIDAY, 10:15-11:00 AM
Carrieri-Kohlman V, Donesky-Cuenco D, Nguyen HQ, Park
SK, Jacobs B.
Efficacy of yoga for self-management of dyspnea in patients
with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
University of California ginger.carrieri-kohlman@nursing.ucsf.edu
BACKGROUND: There has been limited study of
yoga as a complementary strategy to reduce dyspnea in patients with
chronic Obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). PURPOSE: To investigate
the effect of a yoga program on dyspnea, distress related to dyspnea,
physical and functional performance.
METHODS: 29 patients with COPD (age 69.9 ± 9.5;
FEV1 47.7 ± 15.6% predicted; female=21) were randomized to a 12-week
(24 1-hour sessions) yoga program or usual care control. The yoga sessions
included nine asanas (yoga postures) and visama vritti pranayama (timed
breathing). Outcome measures included dyspnea and distress measured
with a modified Borg scale, physical performance measured by incremental
cycle ergometry and six-minute walk (6MW), and functional performance
(FPI).
RESULTS: Dyspnea and dyspnea distress following
6MW decreased for the yoga group versus a slight increase for the control
group. Although there were no significant differences between the groups,
the effect size for dyspnea was 0.20 and for distress was 0.65. Patients
participating in the yoga intervention improved their 6MW distance by
71.7 ± 21.8 feet, while the usual care group decreased their distance
walked by 27.6 ± 36.2 feet for a between-group significant difference
favoring the yoga group of 99.3 ± 43.0 (p<.05). The yoga group improved
significantly more than the control group (p<.05) in functional performance.
There were no significant differences between groups in cycle ergometry
duration or dyspnea with activities of daily living. A majority (76%)
of patients reported that the yoga program provided them with a new
strategy for managing dyspnea and increased their ability to perform
activities of daily living.
CONCLUSIONS: Although the sample was too small
to show significant differences, patients who participated in the yoga
program had less dyspnea and distress while walking farther during the
6MW and they had a significant improvement in their functional performance.
These findings indicate that patients who practice yoga may be able
to tolerate more activity with less dyspnea and distress related to
the symptom. Future studies should include education about dyspnea management
in the yoga program and study a larger sample of patients who are selected
according to their ability to maintain daily practice in a longer program.
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