The effect of a regular walking program on dyspnoea severity and quality of life in normal weight, overweight, and obese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• Published in: International journal of nursing practice Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. e12636 - n/a
• Main Authors: Yilmaz, Feride Taskin, Aydin, Hatice Tel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-06-2018
• Subjects: Body measurements; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Disease management; Dyspnea; dyspnoea severity; Exercise; nurses; Nursing; Obesity; Overweight; Physical activity; Quality of life; Severity; Walking; Turkey; dyspnoea severity; quality of life; nurses; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; physical activity
• ISSN: 1322-7114; 1440-172X
• DOI: 10.1111/ijn.12636

Aim
The objective was to determine the effect of a regular walking program on physical activity (the number of steps and walking duration), dyspnoea severity, and quality of life in normal weight, overweight, and obese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Method
An experimental study; 50 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admitted to the respiratory clinic of a public hospital in Turkey between November 2014 and July 2015 were included. All the patients underwent a regular walking program (at least 30 minutes every day) using a pedometer for 16 weeks under the supervision of a nurse.
Results
After the regular walking program, the respiratory function test results of the obese patients were significantly improved. The walking duration, the number of steps taken per day, and the quality of life of all participants improved significantly, and dyspnoea severity was reduced in all participants.
Conclusion
The regular walking program reduced dyspnoea severity and improved quality of life in all participants. Nurses' efforts to increase activity levels in all patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and particularly those with obesity, through a regular walking program may contribute to reduce the severity of dyspnoea and improve quality of life.
SUMMARY STATEMENT
What is already known about this topic?
Physical activities of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are restricted due to the symptoms of the disease.
Obesity increases the severity of dyspnoea and thus limits patients' physical activity capacities.
Dyspnoea complaints and decreased physical activity impair quality of life of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
What this paper adds?
A simple and easy‐to‐apply walking program can reduce the severity of dyspnoea and improve quality of life for all patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, particularly those with obesity, by increasing their physical activity levels.
The implications of this paper:
Nurses can play an important role in increasing the physical activity levels of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Pedometers are important devices in encouraging patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to walk regularly.