RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Improving the wellbeing of caregivers of patients with COPD using a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation programme
JF ERJ Open Research
JO erjor
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 00255-2022
DO 10.1183/23120541.00255-2022
VO 8
IS 4
A1 Jean-Marie Grosbois
A1 Sarah Gephine
A1 Maeva Kyheng
A1 Olivier Le Rouzic
A1 Cécile Chenivesse
YR 2022
UL http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/8/4/00255-2022.abstract
AB Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programme on anxiety and depressive symptoms, general fatigue and burden in informal caregivers of patients with COPD. We also evaluated the baseline characteristics of both patients and caregivers that contributed to the change in caregiver's outcomes after PR.Methods In this retrospective study, patients with COPD were referred to an 8-week home-based PR programme consisting of a weekly supervised 90-min session. Informal caregivers were invited to participate in PR according to the patient's preference and its availability. Caregivers received educational support, behavioural therapies and self-management strategies using the same methods as for patients. Burden, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and general fatigue of caregivers were assessed at baseline and at the end of PR.Results 241 patients with COPD and 138 (57.3%) caregivers were included. The majority of the caregivers were women (70.5%) and spouses (90.3%) and had at least three comorbidities (57.3%). A large proportion of caregivers showed baseline high burden, anxiety symptoms and abnormal fatigue (40%, 40% and 45%, respectively). Burden, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and general fatigue of informal caregivers were all improved after PR (p<0.05). Long-term oxygen therapy and/or noninvasive ventilation, coronaropathy and/or peripheral arterial disease and a higher baseline modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea scale score in patients with COPD were associated with a decrease in caregiver's burden after PR.Conclusion A large proportion of caregivers of patients with COPD showed anxiety symptoms, fatigue and a high burden. These outcomes were improved by integrating the caregiver into a home-based PR programme.Integrating the caregivers of patients with COPD in a personalised home-based pulmonary rehabilitation programme is effective for improving their burden, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and general fatigue https://bit.ly/3BsANGh