Mindfulness to Mitigate the Effect of Anxiety-depression-fear in COPD

People with COPD have a greater risk for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fear of breathlessness. Those emotions are independently associated with lower physical activity, poorer quality of life, and higher hospitalization and exacerbations; all independent predictors of survival and costs. There is a lack of treatment options to be routinely used in primary clinics for patients with COPD. Systematic reviews suggest that interventions that promote an accepting mode of response, such as mindfulness, might be more appropriate and effective for managing psychological distress in COPD patients, especially breathing-related anxiety.

Hypothesis: A home-based 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for COPD targeted to individuals with symptoms of depression, anxiety, or fear of breathlessness delivered by a mindfulness coach using a combination of in-person sessions and remote video call sessions will be effective in improving emotional and overall quality of life, and measured physical activity.