Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the United States [1]. COPD is a complex disease for which the cause and cure remain elusive. Conventional treatments for COPD have traditionally included medications and surgery. However, these conventional therapies have limitations and have been insufficient to reliably cease disease progression or improve the patient’s quality of life in a meaningful way [2]. Complementary therapies, such as yoga, mindfulness, and tai chi, have emerged that may show promising innovations for improving COPD patient care; however, there is a paucity of studies to demonstrate clinical efficacy. Initial research on complementary therapies has revealed hope that these innovative approaches may help alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, and reduce depression and anxiety in people with COPD [3]. While there is a growing body of research surrounding complementary therapies for COPD, the weight of the evidence remains limited.
Highlights
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is currently the third leading cause of death in the United States [1] with mortality rates expected to rise to become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030 [2,3,4,5,6]
Death from COPD is more likely to occur in the weeks immediately following a severe exacerbation [6]
The purpose of this paper is to contrast the evidence for conventional therapies such as medications and surgery used to treat COPD with promising complementary therapies
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is currently the third leading cause of death in the United States [1] with mortality rates expected to rise to become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030 [2,3,4,5,6]. Periodic exacerbations (i.e., a worsening or flare-up) increase the rate of decline in lung function beginning with the second exacerbation, and the rate of decline increases with each severe exacerbation (i.e., requiring hospitalization) thereafter [6]. Delaying the second severe exacerbation and intensifying in-patient treatment of COPD exacerbations to prevent early mortality are two important strategies for COPD management [6]. The purpose of this paper is to contrast the evidence for conventional therapies such as medications and surgery used to treat COPD with promising complementary therapies. This paper will demonstrate that conventional therapies have received more attention in the literature than complementary therapeutic approaches. More clinical studies are needed to support the further development and use of these innovative treatment approaches
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