Investigation of the Effects of Structured Energy Conservation Techniques Training on Activities of Daily Living, Fatigue, and Exercise Capacity in COPD Patients

In chronic diseases, education is the most important tool for enabling self-treatment, lifestyle modifications, and the development of methods to prevent disease progression. The goals of patient education in COPD are to reduce disease symptoms and acute exacerbations. Another goal is to prevent COPD-related complications and to educate patients or their families. Energy conservation techniques are one type of education given to improve symptom management in COPD patients. Energy conservation techniques consist of personal energy conservation methods when performing physical activities. With these approaches, the energy requirements of activities are reduced. Thanks to energy conservation techniques during physical activity, it is possible to complete the activity with less dyspnea. Some energy conservation techniques include performing daily activities while sitting, placing frequently used objects between waist and shoulder level, using long-handled tools that make tasks easier, and using a wheeled carrier to facilitate carrying items. Breathing exercises, on the other hand, improve the exercise tolerance of patients by effectively using the diaphragm. Pursed-lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing are frequently used in COPD patients. Pursed-lip breathing is defined as active and prolonged exhalation performed with slightly parted lips. After taking a deep breath through the nose, exhalation is performed by pursing the lips in a whistling manner, increasing pressure in the bronchi. This breathing exercise prevents premature closure of the bronchi by increasing the pressure during exhalation, extending the expiration time and allowing more air to be expelled. In diaphragmatic breathing, the patient lies on their back or in a semi-sitting position, placing one hand on the front of their chest and the other on their abdomen. As they slowly inhale as much air as possible through their nose, they feel their abdomen slowly rise. While slowly exhaling the air taken in with pursed-lip breathing, they gently apply pressure with the hand on their abdomen. When both breathing exercises are performed regularly, they help reduce the patient's respiratory distress. In conclusion, structured energy conservation techniques training can be effective in increasing functional capacity and improving symptoms in COPD patients. Therefore; This study aimed to investigate the effects of structured energy conservation techniques training on daily living activities, fatigue, and exercise capacity in patients with COPD.