Effects of Occupational Therapy in COPD (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a chronic condition involving an impairment in functionality and in the execution of activities of daily life. The hypothesis of this study is that an occupational therapy intervention added to a physiotherapy program and a medical treatment increase the functionality and the quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The evolution of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be aggravated in some periods by an increase of the symptoms (above all, the cough, the dyspnea and the quantity of sputum purulence). This is known as exacerbation, and it is the most frequent reason for hospital stay, urgences services and death in this condition. A physiotherapy program and an occupational therapy intervention are carrying out in patients attending to the Hospital because of an exacerbation.. Participants will be assessed at baseline and again at the end of the study.

35 patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease attending to the Hospital because of an exacerbation are going to be included in this group.

35 patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are going to be included in this group. They are not going to receive other than standard care (medical and physical therapy intervention).

Patients included in this group are going to receive an occupational therapy intervention 3 sessions after hospital discharge. The intervention is based on energy conservation techniques improving the execution of the activities of daily living.

Change from baseline to postintervention on functionality. This is assessed using two measures: the Functional Independence Measure and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. A follow-up is going to be performed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the occupational therapy intervention.

Changes from baseline to postintervention in quality of life. It is assessed using two questionnaires, the EuroQoL-5D questionnaire and the Health Questionnaire St. George. A follow-up is going to be performed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment.

Changes from baseline to postintervention on anxiety and depression measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Patients are going to complete this questionnaire composed of statements relevant to either generalised anxiety or depression. A follow-up is going to be performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the intervention.

The accelerometer Armband is going to be used for activity monitoring. It measures the intensity of the activity during 12 hours. A follow-up at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months is going to be performed after treatment.

Changes from baseline to postintervention in dyspnoea measured with Borg Scale. A follow-up is going to be performed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after occupational therapy treatment.

Inclusion Criteria: Clinical diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with exacerbation. No contraindication of physiotherapy. Signed written consent. Medical approval for inclusion Exclusion Criteria: Heart disease. Neurological patients. Contraindications of physiotherapy. Nursing home residents. Cognitive impairments.