Beneficial Effects of Brief Psychoeducational Intervention (Self-Management and Behavioral Modification) on Quality of the Life for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Introduction & Although psychoeducational interventions have been recommended for improving quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the effectiveness of these plans in improving quality of life remains unclear. The objective of this study was to assess beneficial effects of brief psychoeducational intervention (including self-management and behavioral modification) on quality of the life for patients with COPD. In a randomized clinical trial, 42 consecutive patients with COPD were allocated to the intervention group or the control group. Patients in the intervention group received an usual care plus brief psychoeducational intervention (including self-management and behavioral modification) while the control group received an usual care only. QOL was assessed using the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) at baseline, post psychoeducational intervention and three months after intervention. "Analysis of covariance" and "covariance in repeated measures" was used to analyze the data. The results of covariance in repeated measures showed that significant differences in all domains of QOL including physical (p<0.0001), psychological (p<0.002), social (p<0.0001) and environmental (p<0.006) between two groups. Also the findings obtained from Analysis of covariance in follow up data indicated that significant differences in three domains of QOL including physical (p<0.0001), social (p<0.026) and environmental (p<0.042) between two groups. However, there was no significant difference in psychological domain between two groups. Although, investigating precisely beneficial effects of these psychoeducational interventions requires research design with suitable sample size and an enough follow up period, the findings proved beneficial effects of brief multidimensionally psychoeducational intervention along consistent monitoring of therapist for patients with COPD including self-management and behavioral modification for promoting quality of life (QOL). Also it seems that each interventional program should be goodness of fit with various dimensions of QOL and included effective components. This is considerable issue ignored in previous studies.