Effects of breathing exercises performed with virtual reality on dyspnea, anxiety and quality of life in COPD patients: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background

Breathing exercises can reduce dyspnea and anxiety in COPD patients and improve quality of life. To ensure these benefits are sustained, it is essential to incorporate engaging and innovative applications that capture patients' attention.

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the effects of breathing exercises performed with virtual reality on dyspnea, anxiety, and quality of life in COPD patients.

Methods

The research was conducted in randomized controlled experimental design with 48 COPD patients. In collecting research data, the COPD Patient Information Form, the Respiratory Function Test Evaluation Form, the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD-A), the St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the Virtual Reality Experience Evaluation Form were used. The Virtual Reality Breathing Exercise Group (VRBE-G) and control group (CG) were created by block randomization. VRBE-G performed breathing exercises with virtual reality 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The participants and the statistician were blinded. Repeated measures ANOVA test was performed to determine the group-time interaction, and independent samples t-test and Man Whitney U test were used for comparison between groups.

Results

In intra- and inter-group comparisons, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference in VRBE-G compared to CG in terms of CAT score, mMRC dyspnea score, HAD-A and SGRQ total score (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

It was determined that breathing exercises applied to COPD patients with virtual reality reduced dyspnea and anxiety and increased the quality of life.