The effects of a respiratory education class on psychological status for patients with chronic respiratory disease

• Published in: Nihon Rōnen Igakkai zasshi Vol. 43; no. 5; pp. 630 - 634
• Main Authors: Sudo, Eiichi, Kitagawa, Tsunemi, Kitade, Hiroaki, Kawaguchi, Minoru
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japan The Japan Geriatrics Society 2006
• Subjects: Aged; Anxiety - etiology; Breathing Exercises; Chronic respiratory disease; Female; Humans; Male; Patient Satisfaction; Psychological status; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - psychology; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - therapy; Pulmonary rehabilitation; Respiratory education class
• ISSN: 0300-9173
• DOI: 10.3143/geriatrics.43.630

Aim: To educate patients with chronic respiratory disease about respiratory diseases and pulmonary rehabilitation, a respiratory education class was held for patients with chronic respiratory diseases and their families. In this study, we evaluated the psychological effects of the class. Methods: The respiratory education class was held twice during the 2-year period (2002-2004) while the physician specializing in geriatric and respiratory diseases worked at the hospital. Before, during, and one year after the class, we investigated the mental and physical condition in 24 chronic respiratory patients (aged 72.7±1.3 years) using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to measure anxiety, the Self Rating Depression Scale (SDS) to evaluate depressive state, and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) to evaluate self efficacy. Results: Before, during, and one year after the class, the mean STAI scores were 39.2±2.5, 40.0±2.5, and 39.4±2.7, the mean SDS scores were 37.6±2.2, 37.0±2.0, and 38.0±2.0, and the mean GSES scores were 7.4±0.7, 8.0±0.8, and 8.6±0.8, respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed for scores on the STAI, SDS between the time points. The score during the class significantly (p<0.05) increased compared to the score before the class, and remained significantly increased one year after the class on the GSES. Conclusion: These results suggest that conducting a respiratory education class might be beneficial for patients with chronic respiratory disease.