A pulmonary rehabilitation program reduces levels of anxiety and depression in COPD patients

Abstract

Background: The presence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in COPD patients has been acknowledged for many years. The preponderance of recent studies supports the utility of pulmonary rehabilitation programs to reduce the levels of depression and anxiety in these patients. The aim of this study is to investigate possible changes in levels of anxiety and depression among patients enrolled in a pulmonary rehabilitation program, along with the role of disease severity in these changes. Methods: In 101 COPD patients, who attended a pulmonary rehabilitation program, levels of trait anxiety (STAI) and depressive symptoms (BDI) were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the program. Age, sex, level of education in years and stage of disease severity were recorded. Results: Our study included 80 male and 21 female patients. Mean age and mean education level were 64.1 ± 8.1 and 11.3 ± 4.1 years, respectively. Regarding COPD staging, 11 patients suffered from mild, 16 from moderate, 47 from severe and 27 from very severe COPD. Significant decreases in anxiety (from 39.7 to 34.0, p < 0.001) and depression rates (from 10.7 to 6.3, p < 0.001) were observed. A statistically significant reduction in anxiety and depression was revealed (p < 0.05)at all stages of COPD. Conclusion: Pulmonary rehabilitation programs should be offered to all COPD patients irrespective of disease severity, since they all lead to improvement in anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Effects of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Bottom of an iceberg

“…In addition, PR has been shown to have a beneficial effect in reducing anxiety and dyspnea, also reported to be common in mild-to-moderate patients. [14,38] We observed similar improvements in anxiety and depression scores in both groups after intervention.…”

Interactive videogame as rehabilitation tool of patients with chronic respiratory diseases: Preliminary results of a feasibility study

“…The published prevalence rates for depression in COPD patients vary widely [38] but some estimates of depression in COPD patients are around 50% for severe COPD, approximately 2.5 times greater than age-matched control population [39]. It has been shown that state anxiety is associated with worse functioning on measures of exercise performance, HRQL and shortness of breath in patients with moderate to severe emphysema [40].…”

Comorbidities and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Prevalence, Influence on Outcomes, and Management

“…37,38,53 Alarmingly, one study found in a population of VA patients with a high prevalence of COPD and depression that only 50.6% of these individuals were adequately treated for their depressive symptoms, 60 while another group provided lower estimates of 27 to 33% of COPD patients receiving treatment of any form for their depression. 61 Though there are few studies that have looked at the impact of pharmacotherapy for depression on outcomes in COPD, 48,62 there have been a few more which have shown that pulmonary rehabilitation programs show some promise in improving depressive symptoms, 51,[63][64][65] dyspnea, 64 quality of life, 66 and exercise capacity 51 in patients with depression and COPD. Regardless, it has been shown that depressive symptoms are a risk factor for nonadherence to maintenance exercise programs in COPD patients, 67 further demonstrating the challenge of treating this population of patients.…”