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Quality of Life After Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Assessing Change Using Quantitative and Qualitative Methods

PG Camp, MSc, BSc (PT), is Science Researcher, Department of Medicine, Respiratory Division, University of British Columbia, Main Floor, 2775 Heather St, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V5Z 3J5 (pcamp{at}unix.infoserve.net), and Physiotherapist, St Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This study was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Ms Camp's Master of Science degree, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of British Columbia. Address all correspondence to Ms Camp
J Appleton, RN, is Respiratory Nurse Clinician, Respiratory Rehabilitation Clinic, Saint Mary's Hospital, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
WD Reid, PhD, BMR(PT), is Associate Professor, Division of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of British Columbia

Background and Purpose. The purpose of this study was to use quantitative and qualitative research methods to evaluate quality-of-life (QOL) changes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after pulmonary rehabilitation. Subjects. Twenty-nine individuals with COPD (18 women and 11 men), with a mean age of 69 years (SD=8.6, range=53–92), participated. Methods. Subjects were assessed before and after a 5-week control phase and after a 5-week rehabilitation phase using the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ), the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and spirometry. Our qualitative research was based on a subsample of 7 subjects who were interviewed after pulmonary rehabilitation. Results. Pulmonary rehabilitation improved QOL, as demonstrated by increases of 22% and 14% in the physical function categories of the CRQ and the SF-36, respectively, and by an increase of 10% in the CRQ's emotional function category. The qualitative data indicated how pulmonary rehabilitation influenced QOL. Conclusion and Discussion. The use of both quantitative and qualitative methods illustrated the nature of improvement in QOL after pulmonary rehabilitation. Improved physical function, less dyspnea, and a heightened sense of control over the subjects' COPD resulted in increased confidence and improved emotional well-being.

Key Words: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease • Pulmonary rehabilitation • Quality of life

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