The Relationship Between Depression, Dyspnea, and Physical Activity in Patients with Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

<p>This correlational descriptive study investigated the relationship between depression, degree of dyspnea, and performance of daily activities in male and female patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The problem was to determine (a) the influence of depression on the degree of dyspnea experienced and performance of daily activities, and (b) the relationship between the degree of dyspnea experienced and the performance of daily activities by male and female patients with severe COPD.</p> <p>This study contained a convenience sample of 49 patients who met the research criteria (38 males, 10 females, and one patient unidentified as to gender). All patients were given subjective, self-report tests including the Demographic Questionnaire developed by the researcher, the Functional Ability Change (FAC) instrument, the Activity-Related Dyspnea instrument, and the Geriatric Depression Scale.</p> <p>The results obtained indicated that the level of depression positively correlated with the degree of dyspnea experienced (r=.55, p<.001) and the amount of change in activity performance (r=.43, p<.01) in both male and female severe COPD patients. A stronger correlation (p<.001) was observed between depression and dyspnea than between depression and the amount of change in daily activity performance (p<.01). Female patients were shown to be more depressed (x=22.2) than male patients (x=13.6). It was also noted that female severe COPD patients experienced a higher degree of dyspnea (x=5.7) and a greater change in daily activity performance (x=289) than male severe COPD patients (x=4.8 and x=253, respectively). This difference, however, was not statistically significant.</p> <p>The findings support the notion from previous studies that the psychological component of COPD affects the physical component, and thus needs to be understood in more detail. In understanding the psychological and physiological ramifications of human responses to this disease process, a more wholistic approach toward care can be provided for the patient with COPD.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nursing

Year

1989

Author dc:creator

• Calhoun, Carolyn J.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Patricia S. Jones
• Lois J. Van Cleve
• Grenith Zimmerman

• Nursing
• Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Depression; Dyspnea; Exertion

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/1098

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-2077