Effect of Incentive Spirometry Exercise on Perceived Stress in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: A Quasi‐Experimental Study

Background and Aims Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can have a decrease in quality of life because of both psychosocial and physical restrictions. Breathing exercises, such as incentive spirometry (IS), can be beneficial for physical outcomes; however, less is known about the effectiveness of IS on stress, which is explored in this study. Methods This quasi‐experimental pretest‐posttest study was conducted for 1 year after getting ethical approval. One hundred participants diagnosed with grade 0–2 COPD according to MMRC grading were recruited and were assigned to either an exercise group or a control group using a convenient purposive sampling technique. Patients completed a perceived stress questionnaire at baseline and after 8 weeks of IS intervention. Statistical analyses were completed with independent and paired sample t ‐tests. Results Ninety‐two patients completed the study. Baseline perceived stress scores did not differ significantly across groups, p > 0.05. After 8 weeks, the IS perceived stress completion scores significantly decreased compared to the control, p < 0.05. Control group perceived stress scores showed no statistically significant changes, p > 0.05. Conclusion Incentive spirometry provides a reliable non‐pharmacological intervention to alleviate perceived stress in patients with COPD. IS can be useful as part of a COPD rehabilitation program, not only for physical outcomes, but also for perceived psychological benefits.