Effectiveness of Energy Conservation Techniques in Patients with COPD.

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) might suffer from severe dyspnea, which importantly impacts on the performance of activities of daily living (ADL). Patient training of energy conservation techniques (ECTs) might be useful to improve the tolerance and execution of these ADL, but objective studies evaluating the effect of teaching ECTs on the metabolic equivalent of task (MET) in patients with COPD are sparse.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that practicing ECTs after a 2-week ECT teaching period would reduce the energy expenditure (MET) in performing an activity in patients with severe COPD.

Test-retest of a Swedish version of the Pulmonary Functional Status & Dyspnea Questionnaire-modified.

The number of people suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increasing. From an occupational therapy perspective, it is important to estimate dyspnea, fatigue and activity performance in daily activities to be able to use the most effective interventions. In Sweden, there are several assessments for evaluating activities in daily living, but none of them are diagnosis specific for this group.