Breathing control in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (completed)

This is a double blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) about breathing control.

Objectives

To test whether the feeling of breathlessness in patients with COPD can be reduced by non-pharmaceutical means
To examine whether possible changes in respiration rate and perceived breathlessness are accompanied by changes in physical function, other symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleeping difficulties, pain), and quality of life

Background

Breathlessness in patients with COPD may be caused by airway obstruction. A quick and short respiratory rate may occur, causing a feeling of increased breathlessness. Breathing control exercises that slow down exhalation have been shown to reduce respiratory rates and breathlessness.

This project is associated with the Department of Health Science, UiO