Preference for different relaxation techniques by COPD patients: comparison between six techniques

Abstract

Background

A review of the effectiveness of relaxation techniques for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients has shown inconsistent results, but studies have varied in terms of technique and outcome measures.

Aim

To determine patient preference for different relaxation techniques.

Methods

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients were presented with six techniques via a DVD and asked to rate the techniques in terms of effectiveness, rank in order of likely use, and comment.

Results

Patients differed in the technique preferred and reason for that preference, but the most commonly preferred technique both for effectiveness and ease of use was “thinking of a nice place” followed by progressive relaxation and counting. Familiarity and ease of activity were commonly given reasons for preference.

Conclusion

Rather than providing patients with a single technique that they might find difficult to implement, these results suggest that it would be better to give a choice. “Thinking of a nice place” is a popular but under-investigated technique.

Video abstract

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Keywords:

• COPD exacerbation
• anxiety
• relaxation techniques

Acknowledgments

The study received support from the small grants scheme of Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust.

Author contributions

Dave Seamark was the guarantor of the study. David MG Halpin proposed the research questions and recruited the patients. Sue Blake carried out the interviews and together with Dave Seamark carried out the thematic analysis. Michael E Hyland and Ben Whalley produced the videos. All the authors contributed to the development of the interview schedule, took part in discussion at the design stage of the study, contributed to the interpretation of results, and contributed to writing the paper. Although Adam L Hawkins is employed by GSK, his involvement in the East Devon Respiratory Research Group is entirely in a personal capacity.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.