Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Hybrid Concept Analysis

Abstract

Background: Limitations of activities of daily living (ADLs) are well-known in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. However, a lack of consensus regarding the concept of ADL in COPD patients causes problems in their measurement. This study was conducted to clarify and conceptualize the concept of ADLs in COPD. Methods: The hybrid model of concept analysis consisting of a literature review phase, a fieldwork phase, and an analytical phase was applied. In the first phase, an extensive literature review was performed by searching the accredited databases for relevant articles published within 2000-2022. In the second phase, 18 in-depth interviews with COPD patients were carried out in Tehran, Iran. Field observational notes were transcribed verbatim, and qualitative content analysis was performed. In the analytical phase, attributes of ADLs were derived from the previous two phases. Results: Based on the attributes derived from the final analytical phase, ADLs in COPD patients are complex and multifactorial and are affected by dyspnea and factors influencing it. The pattern of daily activities, communication, and self-care in COPD patients changes toward living normally and independently. Conclusions: The concept analysis of ADLs in COPD patients revealed some key attributes. The results might be useful for designing nursing models, developing theories and measurement tools, and increasing the capacity to perform ADLs in COPD patients.