The Effect of self-management program on pulmonary function in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Wiang Kaen Hospital, Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition that leads to decreased pulmonary  function in affected patients. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with two groups and pre- and post-intervention measurements. The objective was to examine the effects of a self-management program on pulmonary function in patients with COPD.

Data was collected at Wiang Kaen Hospital, Chiang Rai Province, from January to March 2024. The sample consisted of 70 patients diagnosed with COPD, divided into an experimental group (35 patients) and a control group (35 patients) using simple random sampling. The control group received standard care, while the experimental group participated in an eight-week self-management program. Data collection utilized a pulmonary function record form, a modified Medical Research Council dyspnea score, and a COPD self-management behavior scale. The self-management behavior scale had a content validity index (CVI) of 0.9 and a Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient of 0.83.

The study found that after participating in the program, the experimental group had a significantly lower mean dyspnea severity scores than before the intervention and the control group (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). The mean distance in the six-minute walk test, and the mean self-management behavior scores were significantly higher than before the intervention and the control group (p=0.014, p<0.001, respectively). The mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was significantly higher than before the intervention (p<0.001). However, it was not significantly different from that of the control group. These findings indicate that the self-management program effectively improves pulmonary function and self-care behaviors in COPD patients and should be considered for continuous implementation.