Effectiveness of non-pharmacological COPD management on health-related quality of life - a systematic review

Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res. 2020 Feb;20(1):79-91. doi: 10.1080/14737167.2020.1734455. Epub 2020 Mar 12.

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of mortality worldwide. The chronic progressive disease is accompanied by a high loss of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The available drugs usually only have symptomatic effects; therefore, non-pharmacological therapies are essential too.Areas covered: This systematic review examines non-pharmacological interventions consisting of pulmonary rehabilitation, physical activity, and training versus usual care or no intervention in COPD using at least one of the following HRQoL measuring instruments: St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, Clinical COPD Questionnaire, COPD Assessment Test, and EuroQol-5D. Of 1532 identified records from CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, 15 randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs were investigated in nine studies, education and counseling-based training programs in three studies, and breathing exercises in three studies. Ten studies were found that investigated non-pharmacological treatment programs that led to a significant and clinically relevant improvement in HRQoL compared with usual care or no treatment.Expert opinion: Non-pharmacological interventions consisting of pulmonary rehabilitation, education and counseling-based training programs, and breathing exercises can improve the HRQoL of COPD patients.

Keywords: COPD; lung disease; non-pharmacological; quality of life; review.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Exercise Therapy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Patient Education as Topic / methods
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / rehabilitation
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / therapy*
  • Quality of Life*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires