Empowerment of the Family Primary Caregiver of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

<i>Objective:</i> To evaluate the effectiveness of a family caregiver empowerment intervention for improving the quality of life and anxiety of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). <i>Methods:</i> A total of 92 COPD patients hospitalized in the Department of Respiratory Medicine of a hospital in Dongguan from November 2018 to August 2019 were enrolled in this study. They were divided into observation and control group (both n = 46). The control group was provided with routine nursing treatment and health education; the observation group was empowered via routine nursing treatment and health education for the main caregivers of COPD patients. The two groups were followed up by telephone, or door-to-door, and data were collected before the intervention and 1, 3 and 6 months after discharge. The data included the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale score and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) score of the patients, and knowledge level of the main caregivers. <i>Results:</i> There was no significant difference in the general characteristics of the two groups of patients or their main family caregivers (P > 0.05). After the intervention, there was a significant difference in the quality of life of the two groups, according to the CAT, mMRC dyspnea scale and SAS scores, and in the knowledge levels of the main caregivers (P < 0.05). <i>Conclusions:</i> In the COPD population, the intervention to empower family caregivers was effective. The knowledge level of the main caregivers was improved, as well as the dyspnea and quality of life of the patients. The anxiety and negative emotions of the patients were also reduced to some extent.