Evaluation of self-management interventions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Aim: To evaluate the benefits of self-management interventions on the quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one of the most widespread chronic conditions worldwide, and it is predicted to increase over the next decade. Although previous review studies have demonstrated the benefits of self-management interventions on health-care utilisation, their benefits on quality of life are still unclear.

Method: In this systematic review, we examined four randomised controlled trials undertaken between 2000 and 2011 to evaluate the benefits of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease self-management interventions on patient quality of life.

Results: The main theme that emerged was that self-management interventions improved patient well-being, with three minor themes: reducing the burden on patients, improved patient activity and improved total patient health.

Conclusion: Self-management interventions tend to improve the quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Further randomised controlled trials are recommended to evaluate self-management interventions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to confirm these benefits.

Implications for nursing management: Nursing management in health services is involved in caring for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is responsible for liaising with other members of the health-care team. We recommend that nursing management be engaged in health-care services to develop and implement self-management interventions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients to improve their quality of life.